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Jayalalithaa to meet Kalam today

By Onkar Singh in New Delhi
June 22, 2007 09:26 IST

Jayalalithaa, convenor of United National Progressive Alliance and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, will go to New Delhi on Friday to boost the sagging morale of President A P J Abdul Kalam who had announced his willingness to contest for a second term in office provided there is an assurance of winning the poll.

Two days ago, Jayalalithaa had cancelled her visit at the eleventh hour saying that she was unwell and hence, giving former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu centrestage in talks with Kalam.

"She would be arriving in New Delhi at 1 pm and thereafter, she will be hold a meeting of UNPA leaders before a meeting with President Kalam," a senior journalist from Tamil Nadu, who has been keeping a close watch on the developments in his state, said.

"Kalam is inclined to opt out of the race as the votes of the electoral college are not in his favour even if the National Democratic Alliance-backed candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat withdraws in his favour," he added.

Rashtrapati Bhavan sources said no time has been fixed for the meeting, but if a request comes it could be adjusted.

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

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