Pranab Mukherjee Elected 13th President of India

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By Contact Staff / July 24, 2012;

Photo by Agencia Brasil

UPA (United Progressive Alliance) presidential candidate and former minister of finance, defense and external affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, has defeated his rival P. A. Sangma of the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) to become the 13^th President of India. Mr. Mukherjee won by a resounding margin of 69 percent of the votes, compared to Mr. Sangma’s 31 percent.

The bitterly contested election – which saw Mukherjee backed by Shiv Sena and JD(U) and Sangma backed by AIADMK, BJD, BJP and NDA – had a couple of unexpected twists. There was significant BJP cross-voting in Karnataka, giving Mukherjee the win in this BJP-controlled state. Mr. Sangma lost in his home state of Meghalaya, and polled poorly in the other northeastern states.

Mr. Mukherjee said after the announcement of his win, “It felt like it was not a presidential election but a general election,” and added, “I am very happy, and I will strive to live up to the expectations and faith that people have bestowed on me.”

Mr. Sangma congratulated the President-elect but accused his opponents of bias, saying “The election process was exceptionally partisan and political through economic and other packages, inducements, and threats.”

Pranab Mukherjee will take the presidential oath on 25 July.