Indian opposition parties Monday chose the country's vice president to run in next month's presidential race against the ruling Congress party's nominee, a woman governor who is seen as the favourite.
The opposition alliance led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, 83, to battle on July 21 for the presidency, currently held by Abdul Kalam. The post holds limited authority over day-to-day affairs, but can play a crucial role in government formation at state and federal levels, making it a key battle for the country's main political parties.
The Congress party nominee is Pratibha Patil, 72, who is currently governor of the desert state of Rajasthan. If victorious, she would become India's first woman president.
India has already had a female prime minister, with Indira Gandhi, the daughter of the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, ruling from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1984.
According to political analyst Rasheed Kidwai, the two-horse presidential race could take an interesting turn if a small group of socialists decide this week to name India's first woman chief justice Fatima Bibi as their candidate.
"If this happens, Shekhawat stands a better chance to win. At the moment, Patil is the favourite as she has the numbers to support her," Kidwai said. An electoral college made up of the members of India's 29 state assemblies and the federal parliament will make the final decision next month.
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