Was Swamy the sootradhar for drumming up support for Kalam?

New Delhi, Jun 15: Former President and the aam aadmi's favourite

is the new entrant in the rat race in the Presidential poll, but the move has been so sudden and engaging that it forces us to believe if the whole scheme of things have been scripted. More light on the matter was revealed when Janata Party president

said in a television interview that he was the 'sootradhar' for bringing back Kalam to the forefront in the race for the post of President of India.

Swamy commented in the interview that he was acting as "Hanuman" at the behest of BJP veteran LK Advani. He also took the opportunity to laud Advani in facilitating Kalam's journey to the race for President, but gave credit to himself for suggesting Kalam's name to Advani.

Speaking to Headlines Today, Swamy said, "I spoke to Advani saying that I would like to find out the possibility of Kalam becoming the President again. Advani said, 'go ahead and find out who all are supportive'."

Swamy added that he was instructed to first enquire Kalam if he was willing to contest for the post. Kalam is understood to have agreed on the condition that there should be a consensus in his name by the various political parties. Swamy was also able to convince Kalam to be part of the Presidential polls. Swamy has been quoted as saying to Kalam, "I told him 'don't announce that you will not contest and do not heed to the rumours that are doing the rounds. Believe me, you can get 55 per cent votes in the electoral college'".

Giving due recognition to Advani who created a buzz around Kalam, he said, "I would compliment Advani rather than myself... He is a great leader... If anybody is the architect, then it is Advani. I just played the role of Hanuman." Swamy also had some back channel talks with members of the UPA and NDA including Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee. According to Swamy, Mulayam was convinced of Kalam's candidature since he had backed Kalam in 2002.

The Samajwadi party decided to back Kalam at their parliamentary board meeting but decided to keep the decision a secret. Jaswant Singh also carried out consultations with the Samajwadi party to seal their support for Kalam.

Mamata too met with Swamy who also promised support to Kalam. It now remains to be seen if fortune and parties will favour Kalam for his second term as President.

OneIndia News