Manmohan had 'pleaded' Kalam not to resign: Book

APJ Abdul Kalam "consulted his conscience" before withdrawing his resignation from the post of President in October 2005 after the Supreme Court struck down the Centre's decision to dissolve the Bihar assembly and impose President's rule. Nagendar Sharma reports. Confessions of a President

APJ Abdul Kalam "consulted his conscience" before withdrawing his resignation from the post of President in October 2005 after the Supreme Court struck down the Centre's decision to dissolve the Bihar assembly and impose President's rule.

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In his latest book, Turning Points, Kalam said he thought for a day about his decision after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "pleaded" with him that his resignation might lead to the fall of the UPA government.

"As soon as the verdict was known, I wrote a letter of resignation, signed it and kept it ready to be sent to vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, but he was away," writes Kalam.

According to Kalam, Singh had wanted to meet him on some other issue. After the discussion, Kalam informed Singh about his decision to quit.

"The PM was startled. The scene was touching and I do not want to describe it. The PM pleaded that I should not do it at this difficult time. He said that as a result of the furore that would be created, even the government might fall," writes Kalam.

The former President writes that he had only his conscience to consult. "That night I did not sleep. I was asking myself whether my conscience is important or my country. Next day, I did my early morning namaz as usual. Then I took the decision to withdraw my resignation and not disturb the government," he writes.

The Centre had imposed President's rule in Bihar in March 2005 and kept the state assembly in suspended animation for six months.

In May, based on the recommendations from then governor Buta Singh, the Centre dissolved the assembly and imposed President's rule. This was challenged by the BJP-led NDA in the Supreme Court, which quashed the government's decision.

The former President was unhappy with the way the Union government's lawyers handled the case in the Supreme Court and conveyed his displeasure to the Prime Minister twice.