Abdul Kalam not to Contest Presidential Poll
posted on Jun 18, 2012 @ 4:04PM
Presidential Poll 2012: With Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee being strongly backed by the UPA and other parties, former president APJ Abdul Kalam has decided not to contest the Presidential poll.
Issuing a formal statement, Kalam said that he was overwhelmed by the support he received but considering the current political situation he decided against contesting the poll. Importantly, Kalam thanked Mamata Banerjee for the faith she has in him.
Kalam’s assertion gains importance as it comes after the Trinamool Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena requested him to jump in the fray and take on dada. Dr Kalam had earlier – before UPA managed to build consensus on Pranab - indicated that he would like to contest if there was sizeable support for his candidature.
However, Kalam expressed his unwillingness to contest to BJP leader LK Advani when the latter called up the former president to request him to contest the poll.
The BJP, which is not in favour of allowing Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee a walkover in the Presidential race, was keen on Kalam, as the party feels that owing to his wide popularity he will give a tough fight to Pranab. Prior to Advani’s phone conversation with Kalam, key BJP man Sudeendra Kulkari twice met Kalam today.Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, who first floated Kalam’s name for Presidency, had maintained that her party remains firm on backing Kalam.