Left says no to UNPAs proposal for Kalams second term

The Left parties today ruled out the possibility of supporting the United National Progressive Alliances (UNPA) proposed presidential candidate A P J Abdul Kalam for a second term.

New Delhi, June 21 : The Left parties today ruled out the possibility of supporting the United National Progressive Alliance's (UNPA) proposed presidential candidate A P J Abdul Kalam for a second term.

ICommunist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has informed the UNPA leaders that the party has already decided to extend its support to the United Progressive Alliance candidate Pratiba Patil. "In view of this, the matter (the UNPA's proposal) cannot be considered," a CPI-M statement said.

Communist Party of India (CPI) National Secretary D Raja said that there is "no question of a second thought" on Patil's candidature.

Earlier in the day, after meeting Karat, Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu said that left had agreed to consider their proposal.

Those who were present in the meeting included Naidu, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Om Prakash Chautala, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) representatives Malaichamy, Thambidurai, Maitreyan and Asom Gan Parishad (AGP) chief Brindaban Goswami.

Yesterday, after meeting the President, Naidu said that Kalam is ready to contest for a second term 'if there is certainty'.

On June 16, the Election Commission (EC) issued the notification for the Presidential election, scheduled for July 19.

The filing of nomination papers will continue till June 30. The scrutiny will take place on July 2 and the last date of withdrawal of nominations is July 4.

The counting of votes will take place on July 21.

The term of office of the incumbent President ends on July 24.

The President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (including National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry).

As per the Presidential Elections Rules of 1974, a prospective Presidential candidate should get his nomination paper subscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and at least 50 electors as seconders.

ANI