New Delhi, June 14: Lok Janshakti Party President Ram Vilas Paswan today announced his party's support to NDA nominee A P J Abdul Kalam for the post of President. Paswan told a press conference, “Although the LJP favoured a second term for incumbent President K R Narayanan, the party has decided to support Kalam following Narayanan's refusal to contest.” “We are not supporting Kalam because he is a Muslim but because he is renowned scientist, has an unquestionable stature and is fit to be on any post,” he said, adding he had confidence that Kalam would be as good a President as Narayanan. Lauding Narayanan's performance during the last five years as President, Paswan said, “he had enhanced the stature of the highest office by remaining impartial.”
The Former Union Minister, however, attacked Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for not seeking consensus before announcing Kalam's candidature and telling Narayanan not to contest citing absence of precedence.
He also accused the NDA with trying to play with Kalam's image.
“ Now that atmosphere has been created in favour of Kalam, everybody should support him gracefully,” Paswan said.

Bureau Report