Swearing-in in consultation with President-elect

New Delhi, July 20: The timing of the swearing-in of the 13th President on July 25 would be decided in consultation with the President-elect, official sources said today.

The President-elect would be contacted after the results of yesterday's election are announced tomorrow, seeking the victorious candidate's convenience for the swearing-in ceremony, to be held in the Centrel Hall of Parliament, the sources said.

''Nevertheless, all the arrangements have been put in place for the swearing in ceremony and whatever time is chosen for the function, it would not pose any problem, logistic or otherwise'', they said.

After the swearing-in, the new President would inspect a guard of honour on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan which would also be attended by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the outgoing occupant of Raisina Hills.

The sources said Dr Kalam had so far not indicated whether he would have a ceremonial sendoff, compelete with being escorted to his new official residence at 10 Rajaji Marg here. ''It is left to the outgoing Presidents to choose what kind of sendoff they want to have'', they said.

However, the sources said Dr Kalam is unlikely to leave for Anna University, Chennai on July 25 as reported earlier. Indications are that he will take two or three days to leave for Chennai.

Dr Kalam, who has occupied just one of the 285 rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan for his use during his five-year tenure, may find even the duplex bungalow at 10 Rajaji Marg very spacious as he has very few belongings.

Addressing a function in the city yesterday, Dr Kalam said he would be leaving Rashtrapati Bhavan with just two small suitcases and a collection of books which he had assiduously bought over several years.

He would be leaving behind at Rashtrapati Bhavan all the gifts he received during his term. These are to be housed in an art gallery which would be thrown open to the public soon.

Referring to gifts in his address yesterday, Dr Kalam had appealed to fellow countryment to shun gifts as accepting them was like inviting a snakebite.

UNI