The NCP too ruled out support to Kalam, asking him not to be a “player” in the presidential poll. “He will not be at the crease. So, he will not be in the game. He will not be a player,” NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who also heads the cricket control board, told reporters after signing nomination papers favouring Patil.

“The match is over for Kalam... We do not expect the game to be started again. We are very clear about that,” Pawar said. “I know him. We have worked together and he will not be there (in the fray).” Kalam served as Scientific Adviser when Pawar was Defence Minister.

RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, meanwhile, advised Kalam to demit office. "Kalam should resign gracefully as it is too late for any reconsideration," Lalu said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had conveyed to Kalam that the ruling alliance was putting up its own candidate. “When Prime Minister called on President after his Germany visit, he did convey on behalf of the government and supporting parties that we have decided our candidate,” he said.

Taking exception to the use of the word “certainty” by Rashtrapati Bhavan in the context of a second term for Kalam, Dasmunsi said it was “very unfortunate” that such words were being used. “Never in history a memorandum or a deputation to persuade somebody to become a candidate (for Presidential election) has been done and nor should it be”, he said, adding it was “against culture and tradition”.

... contd.