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PREZ TALK: It is widely acknowledged that Kalam's stint as President has been hugely successful.

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Keywords: Narayan Murthy, Abdul Kalam

New Delhi: The Rashtrapati Bhavan will soon have a new occupant. While the hunt is still on to find the person, there's also a wider debate about what kind of President the country needs.

“We've had some abominable Presidents who were either active politicians or retired politicians,” said Editor of Outlook magazine, Vinod Mehta.

It is widely acknowledged that Dr A P J Kalam's stint as President has been a hugely successful one and those in favour of an a political appointee feel that only such a person can continue the good work.

While Kalam was the defense scientist who became the People's President, his predecessor, K R Narayanan, a career diplomat-turned-politician emerged as the intellectuals' President.

They brought back a certain dignity and prestige to the President's office by refusing to be swayed by the political dispensation of the day.

While President Narayanan criticised the rioting in Gujarat and also refused to impose Article 356 in Bihar, President Kalam did sanction President's rule in that state but later regretted it.

“The rubber-stamp President I hope we have dispensed completely,” said Mehta.

But not everyone agrees. “Tradition has been that a political personality has held office of the President,” said Congress spokesperson, Tom Vadakkan.

Another factor playing on the UPA's mind is that the new President will be elected in the latter half of its tenure and a favourable person in Rashtrapati Bhavan would help if they cannot make it back to the Treasury Benches after the next general elections on their own strength.