India's murkiest presidential campaign ever

STERLING PERFORMANCE: Numerically, Patil has a headstart and on the eve of the polls, UPA seems confident.

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New Delhi: After a month of one of the dirtiest and most controversial Presidential campaign, UPA candidate, Pratibha Patil, is preparing for a five year reign at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The last few days, she has travelled across the country canvassing support and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, left no stone unturned to make sure Patil was numero uno -- even hosting an election dinner on her behalf.

Numerically, Patil has a huge headstart and on the eve of the Presidential poll, the UPA camp sounded confident

"The country will never forget NDA for maligning Pratibha Patil," says Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad.

But for Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, whose electoral track record is enviable, this may turn out to be a career-ending defeat. Shekhawat's RSS past let him down in the end.

Several NDA allies including Trinamool Congress and JD(S) were unwilling to vote for him and the Shiv Sena didn't want to upset the chances of a Marathi nominee.

In an election where the result is a foregone conclusion, it will be interesting to watch the winning margin of Pratibha Patil.

Meanwhile, the BJP is complaining about the betrayal by its allies.

Says BJP Leader, Sushma Swaraj, "Neither Trinamool Congress nor the JD(S) can abstain or go with the UPA, so their decision is obvious."

This election is turning out to be bitter lesson for the NDA and has only underlined the coalition's increasing political isolation.

It signaled the coming together of the Third Front now renamed United National Progressive Alliance. And last but not the least it has proved that despite the differences UPA and the Left continue to enjoy a working relationship.