Search on for new Indian president
Pallab bhattacharya, New Delhi
The search has begun for a new president of India amidst indications that incumbent APJ Abdul Kalam, whose tenure ends in July this year, may not get the nod of majority of political parties for a second successive term.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has kicked off consultations on the choice of a person to succeed Kalam, one of the architects of India's missile programme, with some leaders of Left parties, which back the Congress-led coalition government. Singh met CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury and CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan last week and a top Congress leader informally sounded out Left and some UPA constituents about the need to field a united candidate in case a contest is inevitable or a consensual nominee. Congress chief and ruling United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is expected to hold parleys with coalition constituents and Left leaders in the coming days.
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