Kalam willing for 2nd term provided there is ''certainty'': UNPA

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Third Front leaders today said President A P J Abdul Kalam was willing for a second term, ''provided there was a certainty ''of being elected unanimously.

The newly-launched Front, named as United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), appealed to both the UPA and the NDA and all other parties to support Dr Kalam's candidature for a second term.

''We today requested Dr Kalam to agree for a second term, as it is the wish of the whole nation. We are playing no politics in it. We are just working in the interest of the nation,'' TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu told mediapersons after a meeting of UNPA leaders with Dr Kalam at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here this afternoon.

According to Mr Naidu Dr Kalam said he was not averse to a second term ''provided there was a certainty.'' When asked whether by certainty, he meant consensus, Mr Naidu insisted that his word be taken as it is, and the elaborations may follow later.

Mr Naidu said that they would now go to meet UPA and NDA leaders and tell them about Dr Kalam's views on the issue.

He said that survey after survey had shown that Dr Kalam was one of the most popular Presidents of the country and his five years in office had proved that he was deeply involved in the welfare and development of the people.

''He is the common man's President,'' he added.

Later, Samajwadi party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was part of the delegation said that he would appeal to all contestants to withdraw in Dr Kalam's favour.

Besides, Mr Yadav and Mr Naidu, SP general secretary Amar Singh, INLD leader Om Prakash Chauatala, MDMK chief Vaiko, Mr Yerranaidu of the TDP, former deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha Thambidurai, AIDMK MPs Dr Maitren, Mr Malaisami, MP P Durga among others were included in the delegation.

The meeting lasted about an hour.

UNI