Photo: Getty Images
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who has been criticised by some parties for disclosing that he was willing to invite Sonia Gandhi to be the Prime Minister in 2004, has maintained that the Supreme Court had upheld her citizenship and she was "Constitutionally" eligible.
"I have said already in the book because Constitutionally Supreme Court says that she (Gandhi) is a citizen. So, Constitutionally if the majority party says she should be appointed. But she did not... she put Manmohan Singhji. There is no controversy in my mind," he told PTI here.
Kalam was reacting on the sidelines of a function when asked about the controversy generated by his book 'Turning Points' because of the mention that he was ready to swear in Gandhi as the Prime Minister despite pressure from various political leaders before she nominated Singh.
NDA Convenor and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav yesterday hit out at Kalam, saying "his conscience has woken up late. It is for self-aggrandisement. We used to respect him a lot but now are very saddened after such comments."
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray also has hit out at Kalam for making the statement after so many years and called him "hypocrite" and "shallow". Earlier, BJP had also criticised for the comments. Kalam's stand on the political situation after the Lok Sabha elections lifted the veil on an episode that has been
intensely speculated upon that he was reluctant to appoint the Italian-born Gandhi as the country s Prime Minister.
The former President says in the book that he was almost certain that Gandhi would head the UPA government but Rashtrapati Bhavan had to rework the appointment letter after the Congress chief nominated Singh as the Prime Minister.
Tag : #APJ Abdul Kalam #Prime Minister #Sonia Gandhi #Constitution #news
from
IBNLive
Country facing a political paralysis: Modi
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at the UPA government, saying the country is now facing a political paralysis. "I was watching UPA report card.
from IANS
'Buy back and delist Neyveli Lignite'
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday suggested to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the central government can buy back the shares held by public and go for delisting.
from IANS
PM, two others vie for two RS seats
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and two others are in the contest for two Rajya Sabha seats from Assam, officials said here Thursday. The poll is slated for May 30.
from
IANS
President in Shimla for three-day visit
President Pranab Mukherjee was accorded a ceremonial reception by Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
from
IANS
BJP demands FIR against Sheila Dikshit
The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday demanded that a first information report (FIR) be filed against Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit for allegedly misusing government funds for "political purpose".
from
PTI
Australia: Allowed to wear turban at work?
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday promised to look into allowing Sikhs to wear turbans at work places and also while riding a motorcycle.
from
IBNLive
The parents of murdered teenager Aarushi Talwar have moved the Supreme Court yet again in the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case.
