Kalam misused high office in the name of certainty: Dasmunsi

New Delhi, June 23 (UNI) A day after President A P J Abdul Kalam decided not to contest for a second term after finding his re-election uncertain, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today said Dr Kalam misused the high office in the name of ''certainty''.

''The word certainty means 'first ensure the numbers'.... This is unfortunate coming from the President. The Constitution does not allow anybody to denigrate the office of President.'' Mr Dasmunsi said, commenting on Dr Kalam's statement that he would contest for a second term only after it was certain he would win.

''The President is a President and we have high respect for Dr Kalam. But he misused the high office in the name of certainty,'' Mr Danmunsi said, addressing a press conference, along with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar after UPA-Left Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil filed her nomination.

On AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa's statement that Dr Kalam was deeply wounded by the criticism levelled against him by UPA ministers, Mr Dasmunsi said they did not comment on the presidency and that Dr Kalam assumed an assault on his dignity.

On Ms Jayalalithaa's charge that their statements were boorish and uncivilised, Mr Dasmunsi said, ''None of us want to learn the Constitution and civilised behaviour from Jayalalithaa.'' ''The history of civilisation was seen on TV when DMK leader K Karunanidhi was attacked at the behest of Jayalalithaa,'' he said sarcastically.

UNI