This is worst and simplistic. In 1967 we were nowhere. But in 1971 we came back. Therefore, this is a simplistic approach and I don't agree with this type of analysis. This is the thesis of journalists and these are totally impractical.

The BJP in 1984 got only two seats. Within five years they got 89 and within 10 years 180. They could form the government.

Similarly, people wrote off Indira Gandhi in 1977. These are simplistic. In parliamentary democracy it is bound to happen, the essence of the parliamentary democracy is that.

On the Presidential election

It depends on the political parties. We are hearing of formations. The NDA and UPA are talking of a contest and nobody is talking of a consensus. From 1967 onwards there have been contests and what is the great difficulty in it?

Image: President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress party President Sonia Gandhi at the event commemorating 150 years of the First War Of Indepenedence at the Red Fort in New Delhi, May 11. Photograph: Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images
Also see: Sonia calls for brotherhood in UPA

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