Kalam calls for two-party systems

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today sparked a debate when he advocated a two-party system in the country, evolving from the present multi-party coalitions.

''Many challenges need to be responded to: the emergence of multi-party coalitions as a regular form of government, that need to rapidly evolve as a stable, two-party system...,'' Dr Kalam said in his address to Parliament on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence.

Identifying the other challenges ahead, Dr Kalam highlighted the need to strengthen internal security to cope with global terrorism and new forms of internal law and order problems, the widening of economic disparities, the rapid depletion of global fossil fuel reserves.

Increasing threats to the country's territorial security by the development of new forms of warfare was another area which needed immediate attention, he said.

Calling upon the young Parliamentarians ''to come out of small aims,'' Dr Kalam asked them to have a big aim and work for the nation in Parliament and outside.

Dr Kalam, whose current term in Rashtrapati Bhavan expires in July, asked the Parliamentarians to resolve to implement Mission India-2020 for a strong, prosperous and happy nation.

''If the Mission 2020 is implemented, it will end poverty, illiteracy, corruption, rural and urban divide, societal and economic discrimination and crimes against women and children,'' he added.

Paying homage to the martyrs of the First War of Independence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the events of 1857 stood as a great testimony and tribute to the traditions of Hindu-Muslim unity in India.

''We cannot forget the Hindu-Muslim unity that 1857 represented and held out as an example for subsequent generations.'' More UNI