In Indian politics anything can happen anytime and the people of India have seen this again when the UPA decided to field Pratibha Patil, 72, as its choice against Bhairo Singh Shekhawat for the post of President. If all would go in UPA’s favor, she would be India’s first female president in 60 years of Independence.
The Congress party has nominated Pratibha Patil, the governor of Rajashtan, as its candidate for the top job in the country. This is nothing but a great surprise because many political observers say that she does not hold the national stature. She is hardly popular outside her home state of Maharashtra.
Pratibha, a lawyer before joining politics, became MLA in 1962 and served the state as minister several times between 1962 and 1985. Later, she was elected as MP in following years. Now, she is the governor of Rajsthan.
Now, UPA’s this move has sent NDA’s poll preparation in trouble as NDA’s entire poll arithmetic was focused on Shivraj Patil. Now, Shekhawat’s poll managers will have to re-draw their strategy now.
According to the recent report, UPA chairperson had a telephonic talk with Vajpayee to make consensus on Pratibha’s name but Vajpayee denied for any consensus by saying that it is too late.
Now, the campaign theme ‘first woman President’ may create hurdle for Shekhawat who has an eye on cross voting during the poll. He asked, where was UPA’s ideology of first woman president at the time of candidature of INA veteran Lakshmi Sehgal in last election.
Shiv Sena, NDA old ally, had also said that it may go for Marathi choice. Now, the party would open its card on Monday after a meeting.
Earlier, Shekhawat’s poll managers were believing on the possible cross-voting by Rajputs in the UPA-camp. Now, Patil’s Rajput credentials have create a hurdle in Shekhawat’s plan. So, it has become a contest between ‘Shekhawat and Shekhawat’.
Now, the number game would decide who will be the next President of India. However, UPA’s candidate has definitely an upper hand on Bhairo Singh Shekhawat. So, it is looking like India is now going to have the first women President in 60 years of its Independence.
