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| BJP is let down by its allies | | Pratibha Patil stands to become President | |
BL KAK
NEW DELHI, JULY 19: By the time the much-awaited polling for the 13th Presidential election came to an end on Thursday afternoon, the message became loud and clear: Pratibha Patil, nominee of the ruling UPA-Left combine would enter Rashtrapati Bhavan to succeed APJ Abdul Kalam. The July 19 poll will be remembered in history as one of the most bitterly fought Presidential polls.
Undoubtedly, the 13th Presidential poll was marred by weeks of mugslinging involving candidates Pratibha Patil and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. It was a straight contest between the two leaders. Counting will take place on July 21, three days before Kalam's term ends. An Electoral College comprising of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) got itself into motion to elect the President. There were 4,890 number of voters in the Electoral College and 10.98 lakh votes is the vote valve of the Electoral College.
Fifty-eight MPs were reported to have voted in their state Assemblies and not in the Parliament. They included Shiv Sena and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) members. The Election Commission had permitted 12 MLAs to vote in Delhi. For the July 19 polls, the Samajwadi Party, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) ally Asom Gana Parishad, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Jharkhnad Vikas Morcha (JVM), the Deve Gowda-led Janta Dal (Secular) JD-S, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Trinamool, Mizo National Front (MNF), and S Bangarappa were reported to have stayed away from polling.
Hence, Pratibha Patil appeared to have a smooth sailing, as she had the support of the UPA, the Left, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Shiv Sena, and the National Conference. Despite attempts to tarnish Pratibha's image with different charges, she seemed to be a certain winner. She was said to have over 6.32 lakh votes in her favour, a lead of around 3.14 lakh votes over her rival.
After a month of one of the dirtiest and most controversial Presidential campaigns, UPA candidate, Pratibha Patil, is preparing for a five-year reign at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The last few days, she travelled across the country canvassing support. And UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, left no stone unturned to make sure Pratibha Patil was numero uno -- even hosting an election dinner on her behalf. Numerically, Pratibha Patil had a huge headstart and she sounded confident by the time the polling was over in the afternoon. "The country will never forget NDA for maligning Pratibha Patil", said Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
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 did not want to upset the chances of a Marathi nominee.
The BJP has begun 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". The Presidential election turned out to be a 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 the UPA and the Left continue to enjoy a working relationship.
Although executive authority in India rests with the Prime Minister and the President holds a largely constitutional and ornamental post, in the era of coalition politics the office has attained considerable significance. Outgoing President Kalam and his predecessor KR Narayanan had, at times, refused to toe the cabinet line on various issues, particularly in terms of dismissing state governments.
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