It is a shame that a visionary, patriot and leader of Science and Technology in India has not been re-elected as the President. Congress recently filed Pratibha Patil's name for the candidature of President of India. Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and several Congress leaders ignored the wide public support for a 2nd term for the incumbent and illustrious Dr. Kalam. In a 4-day NDTV poll 69% people (31,500) voted for Dr. Kalam's presidency. IBN Live & Indian Express polled over 340,000 people and Dr. Kalam was the overwhelming choice. Numerous live polls done by TV channels showed how support for Dr. Kalam cut-across cities and age groups in India. Here are 3 reasons I believe why Dr. Kalam didn't get a second term:
1) Meritocracy doesn't work in Indian Politics: Dr. Kalam is not close to the Gandhi family or any other political dynasty in India. Dynasty rule runs in the blood of the Congress party workers and leaders. In general much of Indian political system works with a medieval dynasty-rule mindset. It hardly matters that Dr. Kalam got Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian honor even before becoming the President. He wasn't close to India's powerful political dynasties.
2) Being larger than the Indian Political estabilshment is bound to cause insecurity in the system: Dr. Kalam was a People's President even though he got elected by Indian politicians due to an error of political calculations. Dr Kalam's stature became larger than any standing politician in India. To the political establishments discomfort Dr. Kalam questioned an erring Goverment / Parliament on several fronts.
3) Indian Politicians are not interested in recognizing a true patriot and luminary: While Indian politicians give long speeches about working for people's welfare and responding to people's voice they are unwilling to recognize a patriot and a scientific luminary who has done India proud. Dr Kalam befitted the position of the Indian President. But Indian politicians largely work for benefiting themselves, their relatives, and their friends.
