Shekhawat hopeful of winning presidential election

New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) Despite heavy odds and numbers going against him, the NDA-backed Independent nominee for Presidential election, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat still seems to nurture hopes of successfully winning the polls as about 90 per cent of MPs and MLAs cast their votes today.

The Vice President spent his day monitoring news channels and reading newspapers at his Maulana Azad Road residence, sources close to Mr Shekhawat said.

The UPA nominee, Pratibha Patil, confident of becoming the next occupant of Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 25, spent her day adjacent to official residence of the President of India.

The NDA's hopes were kept alive after the AIADMK and its allies in Tamil Nadu took part in the voting and it was able to cover around 40 per cent of the United National Progressive Alliance's 1.1 lakh value votes, an aide, not wanting to be quoted, said. Sources said Mr Shekhawat had personally contacted around 2000 to 3000 MPs and MLAs, who form the electoral college for the Presidential polls, and if things go according to our plans, Mr Shekhwat should win.

There was some good news for the NDA as the Telangana Rashtra Samti, which was expected to vote for the UPA nominee, abstained from voting in Hyderabad. Besides, a number of Muslim MLAs of the UPA camp also abstained from voting to vent their anger against Ms Patil's statement on ''Pardah''.

UNI