Patil: Victory bestows great responsibility

New Delhi: Putting aside her controversial past that led to a vitriolic campaign, Pratibha Patil yesterday was elected the first woman president of India.

The 72-year-old Congress veteran defeated lone rival Bhairon Singh Shekhawat by over 300,000 votes.

"I am thankful to the people and the voters. It is a victory of principles," the President-elect said, emerging from her temporary residence at South Avenue to accept public greetings. "This [the victory] is a greater responsibility and an even greater trust," Patil said soon after the official announcement of her win.

"It is a special moment for us women, and men of course, in our country because for the first time we have a woman being elected president of India," said Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who hand-picked Patil and was one of the first to congratulate her.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "The victory of Pratibha Patil for the august office of the President is the victory of the forces which are against the politics of divisiveness."

A crestfallen Shekhawat announced his decision to step down as Vice-President and said he would hand over his resignation to outgoing President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who is scheduled to leave office on July 25.

Patil's campaign was buffeted by accusations that she protected her brother in a murder investigation and shielded her husband in a suicide scandal. There were also charges of nepotism and involvement in a slew of financial scams.