Kalam willing for 2nd term, UNPA; Cong, Left unmoved

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Adding a new dimension to the race for Presidentship, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam today told a Third Front delegation that he was willing to go in for a second term if there was a political consensus on his candidature, but the Congress and Left were not enthused by the proposal while the BJP welcomed it.

The newly-launched Front, named the United National Progressive Alliance(UNPA) appealed to both UPA, 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 an hour-long meeting of UNPA leaders with the President 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, the TDP supremo insisted that Dr Kalam's word be taken as it is, and the elaborations may follow later.

''As there is an overwhelming love and affection of the people from all sections of society and from all parts of the country, I can accept a second term of Presidency, provided there is certainty about this,'' Dr Kalam assured the delegation, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman told UNI on being contacted on phone for the official version of what transpired at the meeting.

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 Chautala, MDMK chief Vaiko, Mr Yerranaidu of the TDP, former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai, AIADMK MPs Dr Maitren, Mr Malaisami, MP P Durga were among others in the delegation.

The UNPA leaders ... picking up from para seven, line one of DI56, POLITICS-LEAD PRESIDENT.

UNI