Sonia says no to UNPA proposal for Kalam

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today turned down the UNPA proposal for giving a second term to President A P J Abdul Kalam.

UNPA leader Chandrababu Naidu this evening told media persons after getting Dr Kalam's approval for a second term, and later meeting NDA leaders that they contacted Ms Sonia Gandhi over telephone to seek a meeting to discuss the issue.

''Ms Gandhi first said that the UPA had already decided its Presidential candidate, but when we told her that we were not doing any politics on the issue, she said she will talk to them after sometime. However, later she phoned them to say that there was no need of meeting them on the issue,'' he said.

Mr Naidu said his Alliance will continue its effort to evolve consensus over the issue and meet RJD leader and other UPA constituents to persuade them.

He said tomorrow he will be meeting Mr Sharad Pawar, Left leaders, and NDA leader Atal Bihar Vajpayee again to solicit their support for Dr Kalam.

''The UNPA will contact all parties in its mission to see Dr Kalam, who enjoys the support of the whole nation, in office again,'' said Mr Naidu when asked whether the UNPA will contact DMK and BSP too.

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