India elects missile scientist as president

A MISSILE scientist who advocates nuclear weapons as a war deterrent was elected India's president yesterday.

APJ Abdul Kalam won 89.58% of the votes cast by 4,896 members of the national parliament and the state legislatures. The only other candidate was Lakshmi Sehgal, a woman proposed by left wing parties.

Kalam, 70, said the alleviation of poverty and development of rural areas are important issues for India. “India has to be transformed into a developed nation, a prosperous nation, and a healthy nation, with a value system,” Kalam said.

He also said his scientific career prepared him for politics. Kalam helped develop missiles to carry nuclear weapons and rockets to launch satellites.

With grey, shoulder-length hair and a wardrobe of short-sleeved shirts and flip-flop sandals, Kalam is expected to bring more informality to the 340-room presidential palace. He will be sworn in as India’s twelfth president on July 25, replacing Kocheril Narayanan.

Kalam has insisted his presidency would not signal warlike intentions from India. Though the office is largely ceremonial, the president can play a crucial role. If parliament is deadlocked, his verdict is final. He can call elections or decide which party gets the chance to form a government.