Kalam favours bi-partisan political system

President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on Thursday advocated for a bi-partisan political system for ensuring stability in the country.

New Delhi, May 10 : President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on Thursday advocated for a bi-partisan political system for ensuring stability in the country.

Addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament to commemorate the 150th anniversary of 1857 uprising, Kalam said: "Emergence of multi-party coalitions is a challenge to the nation".

Kalam said the nation should adapt newer developments in the world - in the field of industry, agriculture and technology - so that it would not find itself way behind developed nations.

"We cannot afford to rest content with past achievements and ignore recent developments that call for a change in technology, industry, and agriculture.

Many challenges need to be responded to: the emergence of multi-party coalition as a regular form of government, that need to rapidly evolve as a stable, two-party system, the need to strengthen internal security to cope with global terrorism and new forms of internal law and order problems," said Kalam.

Kalam, who recently became the first ever Indian President to address the European Parliament, said that he has suggested that the Indian Parliament and the EU Parliament join hands in a global partnership, to which, he received an enthusiastic response.

"I have suggested that the Indian Parliament and the EU Parliament might join hands in a global partnership that would lead to an inclusive, just, prosperous and strong world order. I received a sincere and enthusiastic response from the 27 countries who are members of the European Union," he said.

"I felt that Europe is now ready to partner India in multiple missions for the benefit of all mankind," he added.

He said "this initiative" was now in the hands of the Members of Parliament "to realise peace and prosperity for the nation and the world".

Meanwhile, in Meerut, scores of sex workers lit candles at a war memorial to pay tribute to the heroes of 1857 on Wednesday.

About 10,000 young people from across the country have begun a walk to celebrate the anniversary. The walk began earlier this week from Meerut.

The marchers will reach Delhi on May 11, to coincide with the date on which mutinous Indian sepoys stormed the walled city of Delhi and attacked British officers and personnel 150 years ago.

ANI