New Delhi: The Congress High Command sprung a surprise for the Presidential Elections in India scheduled on 19th of July 2007. Ms Pratibha Patil has been nominated by the Ruling UPA- Left combine as their nominee for the highest post in India. Pratibha Patil has formerly served as Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha besides being the Governor of Rajasthan and a minister in Maharashtra. Ms Patil is married to Devisingh Shekhawat of Losal Chhoti, barely 30 km from the Vice-President's village Khachariawas in Rajasthan. This brought to an end the hectic parleys that have been taking place in the ruling coalition over the last few days. The decision was reached in a meeting between the Congress High Command and coalition leader, Lalu Yadav ; K Karunanidhi; Sharad Pawar besides the left leaders etc. Meanwhile, it is almost sure that the Vice President, Mr Bhiron Singh Shekhawat would be contesting the elections as an Independent candidate with support from the BJP. In another twist, the Vice Presidents candidature got a shot in the arm as he received support from unexpected quarters. A delegation led by the President of the All-India Imam Organisation, Maulana Jamil Ahmed Iliyasi urged all political parties to support him. Iliyasi later in a press release said that Shekhawat rightly deserved to be the President.
"He is an exceptional statesman of towering stature who is loved by all the people of India irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. He is not only firm believer in secularism, but he has always practised it in letter and spirit," he was quoted as saying by PTI
"He is an exceptional statesman of towering stature who is loved by all the people of India irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. He is not only firm believer in secularism, but he has always practised it in letter and spirit," he was quoted as saying by PTI
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