The most bitterly contested Presidential poll in India’s history ended on Saturday with Pratibha Patil winning by a margin bigger than expected to become the country’s 12th President and the first woman to occupy the post. She will be sworn in on July 25, succeeding A P J Abdul Kalam.

Describing her win as “a victory of principles”, the Congress candidate said she was grateful to “the voters... the people of India, the men and women of India”.

The counting of the 3,789 ballots cast concluded around 4.30 pm, and seconds later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi rushed out to inform the waiting media. The margin of 3,06,810 votes was “more than expected”, gushed Dasmunsi, who managed the Congress campaign. Patil, he added, scored more than her projected strength in all parts of the country.

Patil got 65.82 per cent of the polled votes against rival Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s 34.18 per cent.

Minutes later, Shekhawat announced his resignation as the Vice-President. It was also the first time that an incumbent Vice-President had lost in a contest for the top post.

“I congratulate Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil on being elected the country’s President and accept my defeat in the presidential election with all humility,” Shekhawat, who contested as an Independent candidate, said in a statement.

Returning officer P D T Achary formally announced the results — the total value of polled votes: 9,69,422; Patil: 6,38,116; Shekhawat: 3,31,306.

Achary then drove to Patil’s South Avenue residence, just outside the President’s Estate, and handed over the certificate of her election. That moment onwards, she became the “President elect”, and protocol officials from the Home Ministry took charge.

... contd.