UNPA seeks second term for Kalam

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Chennai, June 18 (UNI) The nascent eight-party combine of United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) today proposed the name of incumbent President A P J Abdul Kalam for a second term and appealed to all parties to sink their differences and arrive at a consensus to support him in the July 19 election.

AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, one of the architects of the new Front, announced this to the media after a marathon conclave of the UNPA, at her Poes Gardens residence here.

She said surveys had revealed that 80 to 90 per cent of the people favoured Dr Kalam for a second term . The UNPA 's decision to back Dr Kalam was in reflection of the overwhelming public opinion.

''We are unable to think of anyone else other than Mr Kalam, who is acceptable to all sections of the people,'' she said.

Observing that Presidential poll should not be politicised, Ms Jayalalithaa said there was a strong political divide in the country and there should be a consensus on the Presidential candidate in the interest of the country's unity and integrity.

With a majority of the people not inclined to take the UPA candidate and Rajasthan Governor Prathiba Patil seriously, and the candidature of Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, backed by the NDA, not being welcomed by all parties, there was a deep political divide on the issue, the AIADMK leader said, appealing to all parties, including the Left, to sink their differences and arrive at a consensus on Mr Kalam's candidature.

''The UNPA appeals to all parties, the UPA, its constituents, the BJP, its NDA allies and especially the DMK to support Mr Kalam as he hailed from Tamil Nadu,'' she said.

Eds: Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X