It’s President Pranab

Senior leaders started making a beeline for Mukherjee’s resident at 13,Talkatora Road,on Sunday even before the results were formally announced,as it became clear that the Congress veteran was well ahead of his NDA rival P A Sangma.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,Congress president Sonia Gandhi with son Rahul,Home Minister P Chidambaram,Defence Minister A K Antony,Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and UPA partner and DMK leader T R Baalu were among the first to drop in. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee,who had initially opposed Mukherjee’s candidature and only supported him reluctantly later,called up to congratulate him. She said she would be present for Mukherjee’s swearing-in on July 25.

While also extending his congratulations,Sangma didn’t hide his disappointment. He alleged use of political maoeuvres by the UPA to garner support for Mukherjee and sought a model code of conduct for presidential election too.

“The election process was exceptionally partisan and political,through economic and other packages,inducements and threats,” Sangma said addressing a press conference. “As in the case of elections for the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies,there should be a model code of conduct for free and fair election.”

He directly referred to the Rs 27,000 crore annual plan outlay for Bihar and the Rs 57,000 crore plan outlay for Uttar Pradesh approved after the announcement of the presidential election,saying these “so-called economic packages” played a big role.

Having raised objections to Mukherjee’s candidature over the issue of office of profit,Sangma did not rule out approaching the court to seek relief. “Day after tomorrow,we will take a decision,” he said.