Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Unwanted manoeuvre

The UNPA proposed Mr. Kalam’s candidature when it looked like an electoral contest was on between Pratibha Patil and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. It was quite unnecessary to do so and bring disrepute to a noble person like Mr. Kalam, who was truly above politics.

Mr. Kalam has rightly turned down the repeated pleas of the UNPA leaders. One hopes the leaders will learn from this episode and stop politicising everything.

G. Chandrasekaran,
Udumalpet

In order to score points over their political opponents, the UNPA leaders created tremendous embarrassment for Mr. Kalam. They could have instead concentrated on rebuilding their image and doing something constructive in their respective States.

R. Kalpana Devi,
Neyveli

The Third Front leaders delayed announcing their decision till the UPA finalised its candidate. Once that happened, they suggested Mr. Kalam’s name just to embarrass the UPA. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to understand their ulterior motive. Surprisingly, Mr. Kalam fell for their manoeuvres. He should have known that emails and SMS do not reflect the mood of the electoral college. Certainly, his image has gone for a toss.

Y. Parameswaran Menon,
Thrissur

The UNPA that did not have the numbers and could have in no way ensured Mr. Kalam’s victory succeeded in tarnishing his image. Its move aimed at deriving political mileage has boomeranged. Its effort to act as a pressure group has come a cropper, creating serious doubts about its sustainability.

Dantu Surya Rao,
Kakinada

The unfortunate happenings of the last week have clouded Mr. Kalam’s otherwise glorious Presidency. Besides occupying the highest post, he is also a role model for many thanks to his exemplary character and achievements. I feel politics - which has been branded as dirty - has not spared Mr. Kalam either.

R. Krishnan,
Malakoff, France

The UNPA has stated that it will support neither Ms. Patil nor Mr. Shekahwat. Should we assume that this group will not vote or that it is playing hide and seek? If the former is true, it will be a great day for Indian democracy because the common man can follow its example and choose not to vote for any candidate in the general elections if he feels that none of the candidates is worthy of his vote. Is this what our leaders wanted Indian democracy to look like after 60 years?

U. Muralikrishna,
Visakhapatnam

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