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Describing the candidature of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam as a 'right choice', Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday appealed to Congress and other opposition parties to endorse the name of the nuclear scientist to achieve consensus for the President's post.
Naidu said 'the nation was elated' on the choice of Kalam, and it (Kalam's choice) would send a right signal to the nation and international community 'at this hour of turmoil'.
Asserting that it was time to look and act beyond routine politics, he appealed to the opposition parties to 'think over' and 'play their role' in achieving a national consensus.
Though Congress and Left parties had taken a step forward (by seeking President K R Narayanan's opinion for re-election), they can still find ways to come out and support Kalam's candidature in the national interest, he said.
"It would be national pride to have a man of Kalam's stature at the highest office," he said, adding all partners were happy on the choice.
Admitting that Kalam's name was first suggested by him, Naidu said, "It came spontaneously to me when the political process (discussions) failed to arrive at a consensus."
Coverage of the election for the 11th President of India
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