NEW DELHI, 20 June 2007 — Signaling Bharatiya Janata Party’s willingness to support A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for a second term as president, party chief Rajnath Singh said yesterday in Raipur, Madhya Pradesh: “We are ready to support Kalam. Once he agrees for a second term, efforts will be made for a consensus in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in this regard.”
According to Mamata Banerjee, chief of Trinamool Congress (TC), Kalam is her party’s “first choice” for the post of president.
Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is ready to stay out of the race if Kalam agrees to be president for the second term. The BJP-led NDA announced its decision on Monday to support Shekhawat as an independent candidate in the presidential poll. Within hours, the Third Front sprang a surprise by announcing its stand to support Kalam for a second term. As soon as Shekhawat learned this, he issued a statement on Monday night expressing his willingness to support Kalam for the second term.
“Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than the president consenting. For this, total unanimity of all parties is an imperative. I would be happy if that were achieved,” Shekhawat said.
Having worked with Kalam for five years as a unified team, Shekhawat said: “No difference of viewpoint or approach has clouded our functioning or relationship.”
