Is Abdul Kalam the dark horse in Presidential poll?

New Delhi, Jun 14: With the Mamata-

combo giving sleepless nights to the Congress on the Presidential candidate issue that is snowballing into a political drama, the allies seem to be throwing a surprise every other day on the probable names for the top job. The popular name that is emerging is former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

After the high profile meeting between Mulayam and Mamata on Wednesday, it has been reported that the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi party chief had taken Kalam into confidence before proposing his name for President. But both seem to be reiterating that Kalam was their choice of independent candidate and not as the NDA candidate. But in spite of this, speculation is rife that Congress may not back Kalam for the President's post.

No confirmation on this effect was made by Kalam's office.

The proposal for Kalam's name was made yesterday when Mamata-Mulayam duo proposed his name along with that of PM Manmohan Singh and former speaker Somnath Chatterjee. Kalam, however, does not feature in the list of the JD(U), after they refused to comment on Kalam's candidature.

The NDA also seem to be favouring Kalam after he was proposed by them both in 2002 and 2007. Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj hinted at Kalam for the top post and mentioned that he was apt for the high profile job.

Kalam, in earlier occasions, has maintained that he would agree to enter the fray only if there was consensus in his name. It is a fact that Kalam transcends differences among political parties and has good equations among politicians and bureaucrats alike.

OneIndia News