NEW DELHI, June 18 (UPI) -- The "father of India's nuclear bomb," A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Tuesday announced he would run for president as a candidate of the ruling National Democratic Alliance.
Abdul Kalam, 71, is said to enjoy the support of all but a handful of lawmakers from leftist parties, who have nominated Capt. Laxmi Sahgal, the first woman presidential candidate. Sahgal, 87, and a veteran of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army, is expected to file Friday.
"I think it would send the wrong signal by having a nuclear scientist as the head of state," Sahgal told reporters.
Presidential elections are slated for July 15. India's electoral college includes lawmakers of both houses of parliament and legislators of state assemblies.
Abdul Kalam rose from poverty to become what is widely acknowledged to be the country's leading nuclear scientist. He conducted 1998 nuclear tests.
The contest for the president's post is expected to be a mere formality since Abdul Kalam has support of the ruling alliance, the opposition Congress party and the Samajwadi (Socialist) Party.
"As far as I am concerned, I am a candidate with many parties supporting me," Abdul Kalam said.
If elected, Abdul Kalam would be the first apolitical person to occupy the head of state's position. He is the winner of India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna.
President K.R. Narayanan's five-year-term expires on July 25.
