'Popular, loved' Kalam was aam aadmi President in real sense: Ashutosh

Expressing his condolence over the sudden demise of A.P.J Abdul Kalam, AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said that the death of the former President, who was an "aam aadmi" in real sense, is a great loss to the country.

"It's a great loss to the country and we all know that Abdul Kalam was so popular and so loved. And the beauty of his personality was that he was an aam aadmi, remained an aam aadmi and in the real sense was an aam aadmi President," Ashutosh told ANI.

"Even before he (Kalam) became the President he was the simplest man I had ever met. He was such a great scientist. When he became the President, he didn't change a bit," he added.

Praising the late former President, Ashutosh said "he (Kalam) opened the gates of the Rashrapati Bhawan for everybody. He even came out and voted also. Thus, he was so popular."

"And I always believe that he, along with Dr. K R Narayanan, redefined the office of the President. Whatever he felt he did, like opening Mughal Garden for the children, voting as the President. I think he was the first President to go out and vote," he continued.

"While interacting (with Kalam) you never feel that you are interacting with a President, the first citizen of the country. I think he always used to smile. He used to mingle with the people," he added.

Ashutosh further said that Kalam, who had a very charming smile, was a great man, the greatest President India ever had.

Kalam passed away in Shillong earlier today after he was admitted to a hospital in the city.

The former president collapsed during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management. He was in a critical condition and had been admitted to the city's Bethany Hospital.

Kalam served as the 11th President on India from 2002 to 2007.