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President’s election

This refers to the criticism of President Abdul Kalam for his willingness to seek a second term if there was certainty of his victory. We cannot afford to forget the honest and unprecedented efforts he made to enhance the prestige of the office. His effort to seek a second term has certainly not dented his reputation. It has only made us detest the political system for converting the constitutional office into a political post.

Ruby Jaspreet,
Chandigarh

There was nothing wrong in Mr. Kalam accepting the UNPA’s proposal to serve the nation for another term. When political parties could not ensure his victory, he quit the race as he did not want to muddy the waters. Is it wrong to offer oneself for service to the nation? Where is the question of bringing disgrace to the exalted office he holds?

P.L. Tantry,
Bangalore The Constitution should be amended to provide for the automatic elevation of Vice-President to President. This will prevent acrimonious political battles for the post of the first citizen, and avert the likelihood of the Vice-President contesting for the President’s post as an ‘independent’ candidate.

P.K. Varadarajan,
Chennai

This refers to the letter on conscience vote (June 26). Indira Gandhi’s exhortation to the MPs and MLAs to vote according to their conscience was under different circumstances. She had to resort to the conscience vote to defeat the machinations of the syndicate leaders who wanted Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy to be elected President.

Ms. Patil is the undisputed presidential candidate of not only the Congress and its allies but also of other parties such as the BSP and the Shiv Sena.

Baikadi Suryanarayana Rao,
Bangalore

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