The UPA-Left choice of Mrs Patil has several coincidences

New Delhi, June 14 (UNI) There are several coincidences in the selection of Mrs Pratibha Patil by the UPA and the Left parties as their Presidential candidate.

While she is Rajasthan Governor, her likely opponent, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, has been the Chief Minister of that state thrice.

Mrs Pratibha Patil has another surname, Shekhawat, as she is married to Dr Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat.

As such, she can rightly claim herself to be the 'bahu' of Rajasthan and contest against the 'son of the soil' -- Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Another coincidence is that she emerged as the alternative to Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who was the front-runner of the Congress for contesting the July 19 Presidential poll. Apart from sharing a surname, both hail from Maharashtra.

Political circles observed in a lighter vein that Mrs Patil having two surnames, one from Maharashtra and another from Rajasthan, would help her in her campaign against Mr Shekhawat and take care of the Maratha sentiments which the Home Minister's candidature would have hoped to tap.

UNI