The Hindu : National : We have nothing against Kalam, says Bardhan

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Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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We have nothing against Kalam, says Bardhan

Special Correspondent

None has been given a second term in the country's history

PANAJI: The Left parties will meet in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss various options and take a view on the coming presidential election.

A.B. Bardhan, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India, who was in Goa on Tuesday, reiterated that the Left parties are not happy with the functioning of the UPA Government at the Centre, but declared that they would meet to review the support only after the presidential election.

Talking to presspersons here, Mr. Bardhan stated that the Left has conveyed to the Government its stand that it did not favour a second term for President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. "We have nothing against Mr. Kalam, he has done his job." He also said that nobody has been given a second term in the history of the country.

Opposed to Shekhawat

Mr. Bardhan said the Left was opposed to elevating Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as he is an active Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, had been a BJP Chief Minister for several terms and has declared himself as life time member of the RSS.

The Left parties also are opposed to the idea of a "so called non-political, independent man for the post." Mr. Bardhan said the President's job is a highly political/constitutional one and one who knows all political trends and personalities and is fully aware of the constitutional obligations should occupy it. Asked to what extent Mayawati's victory in U.P. would influence the presidential elections, he said, "I believe it will strengthen the arguments I have put forward."

Asked if the Left would propose a woman candidate, he said that the Left had indeed put up a woman candidate in the past. "If a lady of eminence is proposed, we will welcome it."

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