Left opposes comparison of Mrs Patil with Kalam

New Delhi, July 25: Left parties today ridiculed those who compared President Pratibha Patil with her predecessor A P J Abdul Kalam, rubbishing it as a futile exercise as they were absolutely different personalities.

Wishing ''all the best'' to Mrs Pratibha Patil, the new occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the CPI top leaders said she has the ''acumen'' to deal with the complexities of the coalition era.

A CPI(M) leader said it was wrong to judge a person with ''pre-conceived notions''.

The Left leaders profusely appreciated Dr Kalam for taking the office of the President to greater heights, while adding that he made it possible by throwing open the doors of the Rashtrapati Bhawan for the man in the street.

CPI leaders A B Bardhan and Shamim Faizi said the comparison between the two was ''useless'' as Dr Kalam, the father of missile programme, was a thoroughly non-political person and Mrs Patil had spent over 40 years in public office.

They said the coming political situation was pregnant with lots of turns and twists and the President has definitely a role to play.

''In such a situation, Mrs Patil has the acumen to deal with any such complex situation which Dr Kalam during his presidency did not have.'' Mr Bardhan, CPI General Secretary, said the world had recognised that Indian democracy had matured enough to empower womenfolk as had been demonstrated in elevating Mrs Patil to the highest constitutional office.

''Mrs Patil has become the first woman to be the Commander in chief of the world's second largest army,'' the CPI leaders said.

Senior CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim said it was noteworthy that while it took nearly 57 years for the the nation to elect the first dalit president to occupy the Rashtrapati Bhawan, it took 60 years for a woman to become the President.

Incidentally, Justice K G Balakrishnan who swore the oath of office to Mrs Patil is also also the first dalit to become the Chief Justice of India.

RSP leader and Rajya Sabha MP hoped that Mrs Patil would come up to the expectations of the people as she had the requisite political background and even presided over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. ''We hope that she will serve the nation with all dedication at her command,'' Mr Roy added.

Mr Salim also pointed out that these days, the expanding urban people watched the TV channels for ''a signature style'' even as every president brought with him or her an individual personal style.

It was right to compare the two when she completed her term, they added.

UNI