Nuclear Scientist Likely to be India’s Next President

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DELHI, INDIA, June 11, 2002: India’s governing coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, has chosen a leading defense scientist and a Muslim, A P J Abdul Kalam, as its new presidential candidate. The selection of the man who headed India’s guided missile program and nuclear weapons tests four years ago follows days of intense deliberations by coalition leaders. Analysts say that Mr. Kalam’s nomination is an attempt by the NDA to ensure a presidential election free of bitter party rivalry. Mr Kalam would become India’s third Muslim president, a largely ceremonial post, if elected in next month’s poll. The voting is done by the several thousand legislators of all States and the Federal government.