Date:05/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/05/stories/2007050507631000.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Electing the President

This refers to the article `Second term for President: history, numbers, and alignments' (May 4). The endless chatter on television and in the national press about who should be the next President is unwarranted because it amounts to "lobbying," which is unbefitting of the office of a person mandated to protect the Constitution. To harp on the minority or caste card for the "post" is repugnant. We must respect the presidency and not reduce it to the level of politics. All Presidents must rise above politics and protect the Constitution. They should demit office with dignity and not allow themselves to get embroiled in controversy or become pawns in the hands of opposing political groups.

K.S. Jayatheertha,
Bangalore

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It is common for every office-bearer, right from the humble panchayat member, to want to continue in his or her post for however long it is legally possible. So what is wrong if A.P.J. Abdul Kalam wants to continue for another term? I feel both the NDA and the UPA should agree to this.

R. Thirunarayanan,
Chidambaram

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It is surprising that we are still using the 1971 census for electing the President. Though the change in the percentage share of the population of different States is small, the adopting criterion should not be out-of-sync. Parliament should make the necessary changes to adopt the 2001 census.

Y.N. Murthy,
Hyderabad

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We need a President as the constitutional head of state and it does not matter whether he is newly elected or re-elected for a second term. Attaching any importance or significance to the option of a second term is redundant.

R. Murali Kumar,
Srirangam