New Delhi: For sometime now, the name of software industry icon NR Narayana Murthy is being whispered in different circles as a potential candidate to become the next president of India.
But on Sunday, it came from the horse's mouth when President A P J Abdul Kalam proposed his name as the choicest man to become India's First Citizen at the end of his tenure. President Kalam said it would be fantastic if Narayana Murthy succeeded him.
"Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic," Kalam said when asked if he wanted the Infosys Chief Mentor to become president. "I will say fantastic," Kalam said at an interactive session at the Infosys Global Education Centre in Mysore in response to a question.
Murthy, who was also present in the function, reacted to the President's remark with a gesture of mutual respect. "It would be wonderful if Kalam, who has 'bonded' with the youth who are the nation's future, continued for another term," Murthy told journalists.
Asked if he was open to the idea of becoming president, Murthy said: "It is all hypothetical. Right now, we have had Kalam visit us. I don't think this is the right time to discuss it. It would be wonderful if he continues for another term."
In reply to a question on whether he was open to presidentship in future, Murthy said, "What will happen in future, nobody can say. When we have a wonderful president who has bonded with the youth who are the nation's future, my sentiment is: I wish he continues."
Commenting on Kalam's remarks, he said: "He has always been very kind to me. I have known him even before he became the president. Right from day one, he has been kind to me and my wife. I am grateful to him for his kind words."
Asked if any political party had approached him on the issue, Murthy said, "No. Not at all."
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