Kalam pulls out of race, Sena backs Mukherjee

With no indication that there were enough numbers to ensure his return to Rashtrapati Bhavan, A P J Abdul Kalam declared today that he would not contest the presidential election.

Late on Monday night, the Shiv Sena announced that it was breaking ranks with the NDA, and would support UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee. Another key NDA ally, the JD(U), has been arguing at meetings of the alliance that it made little sense to put up a losing candidate against the finance minister, who has every qualification needed to be President of India.

With Kalam unwilling and the NDA divided, the BJP core group met late in the evening to firm up its response to the situation. The outcome of the meeting was not officially announced. The BJP was likely to have discussions with its partners some time soon, it was learnt.

"Pranab Mukherjee is the perfect candidate for President," Sanjay Raut, leader of the Shiv Sena parliamentary group, told The Indian Express. "He called up (Sena chief) Balasaheb (Thackeray) this morning and sought the Sena's support," Raut said.

In a statement, Kalam said, "I have considered the totality of this matter and the present political situation, and decided not to contest the presidential election 2012."

He clarified that he had "never aspired to serve another term or shown interest in contesting the elections" but Mamata and "other political parties" had wanted him to be a candidate. However, his "conscience" does not permit him to contest, Kalam said.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani has been in touch with Kalam over the phone for the past few days. Advani's former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni has been talking to Kalam.

Neither the BJP nor Jayalalithaa and Naveen Patnaik — chief ministers who floated the candidature of former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma — had a problem with Kalam, whose name was being pushed by Mamata Banerjee, but doubted whether the former president would ultimately agree to fight again.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Politics to ministry work, Bansal picks family first

In deal to end standoff, India agreed to give up key bunker

Rail bribery row: CBI finds links that could lead up to minister Bansal

Ashwani made 2 'significant' deletions: CBI