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People's Front to decide on presidential nominee Tuesday

Yechury told reporters that it was the display of the opposition unity that forced the National Democratic Alliance to choose noted scientist A P J Abdul Kalam, a consensual candidate, for the top post.

After the Bharatiya Janata Party's efforts to unilaterally impose a candidate failed, it made a hasty retreat and chose a candidate acceptable to all, he said.

Further pressed on Kalam's candidature, Yechury said no one would oppose him as he was a noted scientist and intellectual.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said the Front had not yet been informed formally of Kalam's candidature.

"We have not been formally told yet. We are waiting for a formal communication," Singh said.

Front sources pointed out that that Kalam's name had cropped up during initial talks that Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The sources pointed out that when Yadav was the defence minister, Kalam was his scientific advisor. Moreover, it was Yadav who had recommended Kalam's name for the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna during the term of the United Front government.

They claimed that in the wake of the recent riots in Gujarat, it would be difficult even for the Congress to oppose Kalam's candidature.

PTI

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