Time is not right for a nuke man at helm: Sehgal

The Left’s and JD(S)’s candidate clarified that she admires Kalam for his contribution to science but ‘‘a fight is a fight’’ and she won’t run away from it. ‘‘I consider this election to be a political contest, taking place at a critical juncture of our great country’s history,’’ she read from a prepared speech.

It was evident the country’s first woman presidential candidate had chosen her words carefully to address a wide political spectrum. As a freedom fighter who fought in Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA, she took the opportunity to remind the electoral college of their ‘‘patriotic and national’’ responsibilities.

‘‘I firmly believe that our freedom struggle became a mighty people’s movement because it was able to unite people from diverse religious, linguistic, and caste backgrounds,’’ she said. ‘‘My experience with the INA under the slogan ‘Unity, Faith and Sacrifice’ confirms this. Unfortunately, such unity appears more fragile now.’’

Sehgal will file her nomination on June 21 and kick off her campaign from Ahmedabad. ‘‘She is expected to visit the riot-hit in Shah Alam camp,’’ a senior Left leader said. Visits to Kolkata and Patna would follow.

CPI(M) Politburo member Prakash Karat is managing Sehgal’s campaign strategy. Sources said Gujarat was chosen to send a clear signal to people whose battle she was fighting and to counter any likely anti-minority allegations.

‘‘The recent happenings in Gujarat have numbed the nation,’’ Sehgal said. ‘‘It shall be my endeavour within the framework of our Constitution to protect its secular democratic foundation.’’

Sehgal quoted an edict of Emperor Asoka to give credence to her ‘‘secular’’ principle. ‘‘Secularism for us in India is no western concept borrowed in modern times,’’ she said.

She sought the support of the electoral college and said the fundamental components of the Constitution — secular democracy, economic self-reliance, federalism and social justice — are badly stressed now. ‘‘All patriots are called upon to meet these challenges,’’ she said, in an indirect overture to the Sangh Parivar that complains about loss of values.