'He shines in comparison to other people in public life. He is seen as simple, honest, decent and accessible as compared to our PMs and CMs who are seen as corrupt, brutal, inaccessible and flanked by security guards.

In an online poll for the greatest Indian after Gandhi, initiated by the CNN IBN and History TV 18, the top two contenders are Dr Ambedkar, the father of the Indian constitution, and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Ramchandra Guha, historian and author, feels that the people have got wrong in voting for Kalam as he will be forgotten in 10 years.

"He is not an original scientist, he will be forgotten in 10 years," said Guha on CNN IBN.

"He shines in comparison to other people in public life. He is seen as simple, honest, decent and accessible as compared to our PMs and CMs who are seen as corrupt, brutal, inaccessible and flanked by security guards. But that doesn't make him one of the greatest Indians," he added.

Regarding Kalam's vision for India, Guha said, "His vision for India is totally confused. Its incoherent and inconsistent."

"Kalam benefited from being the good Muslim at a time when Dawood Ibramhim was the bad Muslim,"he added.

To see who are the other candidates and to vote click here.