By Neeraj Nanda
The events of the last few days have made one thing sure – the definite victory of UPA- Left- BSP candidate Prathiba Patil becoming India’s next President. This became clear after much confusion Kalam backed out, as he would not become a candidate unless assured of a victory. Added to this is the United National Progressive Alliance (UPNA) or the third front reluctant to support Jayalalitha’s (AIADMK) candidate Fatima Beevi (former Supreme Court judge and Tamilnadu Governor) and BJP’s Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (current Vice President and a candidate backed by BJP and allies) not having the numbers.
The best thing would be that Shekhawat quits the race for Raisina Hill and let the country and the world rejoice the election of India’s first woman President smoothly. However, this may not happen, as Shekhawat (rooted in the RSS-BJP culture) remains determined to have a contest. Anyway, Prathiba Patil’s victory is ensured and the world’s biggest democracy will have a President with secular credentials.
