Jaya to persuade Kalam on Prez poll tomorrow

Chennai, June 19 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa, a key figure in the newly-launched United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), will leave here for Delhi tomorrow to meet and persuade President A P J Abdul Kalam to accept UNPA's nomination for a second term.

Dr Kalam had granted an appointment to the leaders of the UNPA at 1530 hrs tomorrow, after the leaders expressed desire to meet and persuade him to seek election for a second term.

Ms Jayalalithaa would be accompanied by other Front leaders, a party release here said today.

The UNPA, in its conclave here yesterday, had favoured the candidature of Dr Kalam for a second term and appealed to leaders of all parties in the country to support his candidature and avoid a contest for the top post in the interest of the country.

Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh, Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu, Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala and MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, among other leaders, were likely to accompany Ms Jayalalithaa.

UNI