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Kalam refuses to contest against Pranab Mukherjee | Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has finally decided not to return to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, saying he never aspired
to serve another term or show interest in contesting the election for the coveted
post against UPA nominee and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. “You are aware
of the developments in the run up of the presidential election. Though I have
never aspired to serve another term or show interest in contesting the election,
madam Mamata Banerjee and other political parties wanted me to be their candidates.
Many, many citizens also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love
and affection for me and the aspiration of the people,” said Dr. Kalam in a statement.
“I am really overwhelmed by this support. This being their wish, I respect it.
I want to thank them for the trust they have in me. I have considered the totality
of the matter and present political situation and decided not to contest the presidential
election 2012,” he added. Dr Kalam has allegedly conveyed this to senior BJP leader
LK Advani, who phoned him this morning before sending his emissary Sudheendra
Kulkarni to him. Dr. Kalam had earlier on June 15 said that leaders of various
political outfits have asked him to serve as the next President of India, but
added that he would take an appropriate decision on this issue at the right time.
"Many political leaders have spoken to me. They want me to serve as the president.
They all contacted me. I respect their views. However, I will take the right decision
at the right time," Kalam had told the media in Patna . The support that Pranab
Mukherjee's candidature has received indicated that contesting him would be difficult.
The latest developments have now imposed more pressure on the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP), as they will now either have to back former Lok Sabha speaker and
NCP leader P.A. Sangma or come out with a new name for the coveted post after
holding due consultations. Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India,
succeeding K. R. Narayanan. He won the 2002 presidential election with an electoral
vote of 922,884, surpassing 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal. He served from
July 25, 2002 to July 24, 2007. Kalam was succeeded by Pratibha Devisingh Patil,
whose term as President of India ends on July 24.
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