'Dharna' for Prez Kalam's second term

Varanasi, June 21 (UNI) College students here today staged a 'dharna' in support of a second term in office for President A P J Abdul Kalam.

Led by former general secretary of Harish Chandra Post Graduate College Student Union Ravi Kant Vishwakarma, the students of various colleges of the city staged a dharna near the statue of Shahid Udham Singh at Girjaghar crossing.

Carrying placards bearing slogans in support of Dr Kalam, the protestors raised anti-UPA slogans for opposing a second term for him, who they termed as the most popular president so far.

''At a time when the UNPA and the NDA are in support for a second term for President Kalam, Congress led UPA by opposing the move has proved that it is against the tenet of secularism enshrined in our constitution,'' Mr Vishwakarma said.

''Dr Kalam is the perfect icon of the secular culture that India boasts, but the Congress led UPA's opposition to a second term for President Kalam has exposed the false secular credentials of the ruling coalition at the centre.'' UNI