Pratibha Patil on Saturday became India's first woman President albeit after one of the most controversial Presidential elections in Indian history.

While the result was a foregone conclusion, it was the margin of victory that was truly impressive.

Patil defeated nearest rival – NDA-backed vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat – by more than three lakh votes.

The former governor of Rajasthan took an early lead when she bagged 223 votes in Andhra Pradesh - a considerable lead over Shekhawat who managed just two votes in the state. The value of one MLA's vote in Andhra Pradesh is 148.

After the results were announced, Patil described her victory as a 'victory of principles and victory of right thinking' by the people.