Click to play videoNew Delhi: The UPA-Left candidate Pratibha Patil's journey to Rashtrapati Bhavan may have a few roadblocks.
Indications came late Thursday night after a phone call from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee, seeking the Oppositon’s support for Patil.
However, the former PM said it was too late for a consensus and since UPA didin’rt feel the need of consulting the Opposition alliance, NDA had shortlisted their candidate. Sources told CNN-IBN that Vice President and Independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat NDA is backing is having second thoughts about joining the race.
Far away from all this lobbying and number crunching was the Governor of Rajasthan, now firmly in political limelight. “This sends a good message that India respects women,” she said.
The decision to nominate Pratbha Patil was welcomed by all.
“Women have contested before, but she's a winner. There's no need for parties to field candidates now,” said RJD leader and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.
Even the hard-to-please Left parties echoed in agreement. The UPA proposed Pratibha Patil's name. We have extended our support to her,” confirmed CPI-M politburo member Sitaram Yechury.
The decision to elect a woman president comes after India chose to have a Dalit president in KR Narayanan and a Muslim president in APJ Abdul Kalam. But in the 60th year of Indian Independence, will the country's first woman President be able to redefine Presidency?
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
