Pranab Mukherjee records huge win, gets almost 70% of votes

New Delhi - 22 July 2012: Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee's big win in the presidential election - which will make him the 13th occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhavan - marks the return of an active politician at Raisina Hill after three successive Presidents who were either past their prime in politics or did not have a political background at all.

Since July 1997, when K R Narayanan became President, the high office has been held by missile man A P JAbdul KalamandPratibha Patilwhose careers had peaked, while Mukherjee was a hands-on politician playing a crucial role in UPA affairs.

Unlike his predecessors who were picked as safe choices by the ruling establishment of the day, Mukherjee sought the job and even bent his party to his will, aided by some ill-timed pressure tactics by Congress allyMamata Banerjeethat yielded unexpected results.

Interestingly, Mukherjee will move to Rashtrapati Bhavan from 13 Talkatora Road, a fact that may intrigue the numerologically inclined. Those who know Mukherjee say his sense of the Constitution, politics and grasp of governance make him his own man who cannot be taken for granted as President. Mukherjee made the point, saying he would try and fulfill expectations to "defend, preserve and protect" the Constitution.

Mukherjee polled a vote value of 7.14 lakh or about 69.3% of the valid votes in the electoral college - aided by cross-voting from BJP legislators in Karnataka. The Opposition nominee, former SpeakerP A Sangma, secured a vote value of 3.16 lakh, handing Mukherjee a handsome margin.

After the result was finally out on Sunday evening, Congress chiefSonia Gandhi, accompanied by son Rahul, called on Mukherjee to congratulate him. The presence of Rahul was noted, particularly in the context of his announcement that he was accepting a more active role in Congress affairs.

Soon after, PMManmohan Singhreached Mukherjee's residence where celebrations were underway since the afternoon when his tally crossed the halfway mark.

Cross-voting by BJP MLAs in Karnataka, where the party is in majority, saw Mukherjee gaining a lead of 117 votes to Sangma's 103.

source: TOI