The Hindu : National : CPI objects to Kalam idea

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Friday, May 11, 2007
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CPI objects to Kalam idea

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India on Thursday took strong exception to the suggestion by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for evolving a "stable, two-party system."

"We take strong exception to the statement by the President for suggesting [a] two-party system. It is unwarranted, harmful and not consistent with the democratic traditions and from a person who is holding the highest constitutional office," CPI Parliamentary party leader Gurudas Dasgupta said at a press conference flanked by party MPs, S. Sudhakar Reddy and C.K. Chandrappan.

The President, in his speech in the Central Hall of Parliament at the commemorative function on the occasion of 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence, said: "Many challenges need to be responded to: the emergence of multi-party coalitions as a regular form of Government that need to rapidly evolve as a stable, two-party system ... "

Mr. Dasgupta said that the statement made in Parliament by a President whose term was coming to an end was "objectionable."

The All-India Forward Bloc general secretary Debabrata Biswas too objected to the suggestion made by the President. He said the idea echoed the suggestion made by a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader some time ago.

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