Missile Technologist Wins India's Presidential Elections

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, July 19, 2002

Missile Technologist Wins India's Presidential Elections

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a Muslim and the architect of India's missile arsenal, won India's presidential elections by an overwhelming majority Thursday, according to an election commission official.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Missile Technologist Wins India's Presidential Elections

Eminent missile technologist Abdul Kalam was Thursday elected India's 12th President in a contest in which he beat the Left-backed Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal, bagging nearly 90 percent vote value in a preferential system of election.

The 71-year-old Kalam, born in a Muslim family in Rameswaram inTamil Nadu, got 4,152 votes with a vote value of 922,884, against Sahgal's 459 votes accounting for 107,366 votes value in a race which was heavily loaded against her with the entire political spectrum supporting Kalam.

Kalam will succeed K.R. Narayanan, whose term expires on July 24.

The president elect will be sworn in at the Central Hall of Parliament the next day.

After a three-hour counting of votes, Kalam's election was announced by Upper House Secretary General R.C. Tripathi, who is also the Returning Officer.

After declaring the results at a press conference, Tripathi handed over a copy of the notification declaring Kalam as the President-elect to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan, who was Kalam's election agent.

Immediately after the results were declared, Mahajan drove to Kalam's residence to hand over the declaration.

While Kalam secured 89.58 percent of the value of votes, Sahgalgot 10.42 percent.

India needs "second vision"

Abdul Kalam Thursday said he was delighted to get elected as President of India and that the country needs a "second vision" to transform into a prosperous, poverty free, healthy and developed nation.

"I am indeed delighted to get elected as the next president," he told reporters shortly after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan drove to his modest flat in Asiad village to conveythe happy tidings.

He was handed over the declaration issued by the returning officer of his election as the next president.

"My message to the country is that we need a vision, a second vision for the nation to get India transformed into a developed country in 20 years."

Asked whether he has been insulated from politics for long, Kalam said, "I am working from 1982 onwards directly with the government whether it is related with research, launch vehicles ornuclear programs. Unless political decisions are taken, satelliteswill not be in orbit."

"Political decisions are vital for the success of any program. I have worked with six prime ministers, I know how to handle politics," he said.

To the question whether he would be a neutral president, he said, "A president is a president. There is nothing like a neutral president."

He said his two books "Vision India - 2020" and "Ignited Minds"are his plan of action and a road map to country's development.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Feature: Kalam, from Scientist to Indian President

Roundup: Missile Man to Become Next Indian President

Taiwan to Lift Half-century Ban on Direct Investment in Mainland ( 64 Messages)

Shanghai Plans Asia's Biggest Shopping Center ( 158 Messages)

Sino-Russian Military Exercise not Targeting Third Country ( 142 Messages)

Gang of 66 Criminals Get Heavy Sentences ( 19 Messages)

How to View Major Problems in China's Income Distribution System ( 56 Messages)

China's Economy Grew 7.8 Percent in First Half Year ( 11 Messages)