Second term proposal for Kalam a conspiracy to defame him: Lalu

Patna, June 19 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today alleged that newly-formed United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) had conspired to defame President A P J Abdul Kalam by proposing his name for a second term.

He further alleged that worried about his possible defeat, NDA-backed independent candidate and Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was supporting the newly- constitued Third Front's move.

Mr Prasad during his official visit to Bihar told mediapersons here that under a well-hatched conspiracy, the Front had projected the name of Dr Kalam for the presidential elections with an ulterior motive to ''defame'' him.

The proposal of the front served as a good opportunity for Mr Shekhawat, who was trying to save his face by joining the move of the front, he said.

The Vice-President was scared of his possible defeat in the presidential elections and realising his weak position he was toiling for total unanimity of all political parties for Dr Kalam, he claimed.

The Third Front and Mr Shekhawat were playing games at the cost of Dr Kalam and were ''humiliating'' him, the Railway Minister said.

The UPA, along with the Left parties had fielded Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil as a joint candidate in the presidential elections and the appeal of the third front and that of Mr Shekhawat to support Dr Kalam for the second term was ''irrelevant'', he added.

Former prime minister and senior BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee had already turned down the proposal for a second term for Dr Kalam, Mr Prasad said.

Ms Patil enjoyed the support of the UPA as her candidature was decided unanimously and claimed that she would win by a margin of 1.5 lakh value votes.

Meanwhile, political lines have been drawn for the presidential elections following announcements of the names of Ms Patil from UPA fold and Mr Shekhawat, the NDA-backed independent candidate.

The proposal for a second term for Dr Kalam by the newly-formed third front has given a ''political twist'' to the elections, Mr Prasad said.

UNI