Kalam's consent for race will create problems in UPA: Sushma

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) The BJP today expressed happiness over the turn of events in which President APJ Abdul Kalam has expressed his willingness to be in the fray for the July 19 election in the event of 'overwhelming consensus' building around him, and asserted this would have more effect on the ruling UPA partners where Congress may have to revise its view on fielding Pratibha Patil as its nominee.

Reacting to the statements of United National Progressive Alliance leaders claiming that Dr Kalam had given his consent for being in the race in the event of a certain victory, NDA Spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said he had responded to the ''popular sentiments'' of the people.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who hinted at withdrawing from the race in the event of Dr Kalam running for a second term, had paved the way for the President to remain in the race, she said.

The President's willingness to contest will cause problems within the UPA especially the DMK and the PMK parties which will be under severe pressure to back their own man for the top constitutional post. Other parties like Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lok Janshakti Party of Ram Vilas Paswan and the Bahujan Samaj Party would also be be under pressure to support him, she said. That leaves only Congress and the Left parties to have reservations against Dr Kalam when overwhelming consensus veers around him, Mrs Swaraj added.

She regretted that the Congress was making'' signing of nomination papers a media event and make the contest appear as a 'fait accompli' and subscribing to the view that the talk of consensus should be over once and for all.'' However, Dr Kalam's consent has upset the Congress applecart, she asserted.

Asked about the NDA's stand in the event of contest and Dr Kalam remaining in the fray, she said the NDA would extend its total support to Dr Kalam. However, if there is no consensus and a situation where Dr Kalam is not in the race, Vice-President Shekhawat will be the NDA's candidate, she remarked.

UNI