CPI, CPM say `No` to Kalam’s second term

Like the Congress, the Left parties, CPM and CPI, on Thursday morning rejected the Third Front`s proposal for a second term to President A P J Abdul Kalam. UNPA leaders, however, claimed that the Left is willing to discuss the proposal to back Kalam within their camp.

The CPM`s decision was conveyed by Party General secretary Prakash Karat when a delegation of leaders belonging to United Natinal Progressive Alliance (UNPA) met him this morning and urged him to back the candidature of Kalam in the President`s election.

"Prakash Karat informed the leaders that the CPM has already decided to extend support to the UPA nominee, Pratibha Patil. In view of this, the matter cannot be considered," the CPM said in a statement after UNPA leaders Chandrababu Naidu and Mulayam Singh Yadav and others met him.

Meanwhile, the CPI has also made it clear that there is no question of reconsidering its decision to support Patil. "We have already finalised the nominee. How can we accept their proposal now?," CPI national secretary D Raja told agencies.

Adding to the ongoing drama surrounding the Presidential elections, Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu earliier claimed that the CPM has agreed to discuss the proposal put forward by the Third Front seeking a second term for President A P J Abdul Kalam.

Talking to reporters after a 30-minute meeting with CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat and Politburo member Sitaram Yechury, Naidu said: "We have told them very clearly that the mood of the nation and will of the people was for a second term to Kalam. He said he will discuss it in the party."

Although CPM leaders felt it was very late, they however have agreed to hold talks over the proposal, the former Andhra CM said.

"Even NDA had decided to support Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat but said they will discuss it today," he said.

Asserting that the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) had no intention to "play politics" on the Prez polls, Naidu reiterated that the alliance was all for a second innings for Kalam as he is the best choice and keeping in sync with the general mood of the country.

The TDP supremo also lashed out at the Congress for attacking the UNPA over its efforts.

"It is not correct. I don`t know why they did that. We are not playing politics. We are working in the interest of the nation," he said.

Apart from Naidu, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, AIADMK representatives Thambidurai, Malaichamy and Maitreyan, MDMK leader Krishnan and AGP chief Brindaban Goswami were also present in the meeting.

Asked whether they were hopeful that CPM would support Kalam, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said: " Hum nirash nahi hai " (We are still hopeful).

Asked what would be their future course of action if they do not manage to muster enough support for Kalam, Naidu said it was a hypothetical question.

Asked if they planned to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he said she did not give an appointment on Wednesday and expressed readiness to meet her if she is willing.