Presidency of Pratibha Patil

Last updated

The 2007 electoral college vote by states 2007 Indian Presidential Election.svg
The 2007 electoral college vote by states

The presidential election took place on 19 July 2007, and the results were announced on 21 July 2007. President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, whose term was due to expire on 24 July 2007, initially expressed willingness to consider a second term if there was a certainty of winning, but later decided not to contest. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Left parties nominated Pratibha Patil, the then Governor of Rajasthan, as their candidate. She resigned from her gubernatorial post on 21 June 2007 to contest the election.

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil.jpg
Official portrait, 2007
Presidency of Pratibha Patil
25 July 2007 –25 July 2012
Party (Alliance)CandidateElectoral VotesVote PercentageStates carried
INC (UPA) Pratibha Patil.jpg
Pratibha Patil 		638,11665.82%22
BJP (NDA) Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.jpg
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat 		331,30634.18%8

Patil won the election, securing nearly two-thirds of the electoral college votes. [7] She defeated the sitting Vice President and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. With this victory, she became the first woman to be elected as the President of India, a milestone in the country's democratic history. [8] The election saw significant cross-voting in favor of Patil in several states, including some where the NDA had a strong presence. The Shiv Sena, despite being an NDA ally, supported Patil citing her Maharashtrian background. [9]

Domestic affairs

Mercy petitions

Patil disposed of 39 mercy petitions during her tenure, commuting 35 and rejecting 4. [10]

President's rule

Under Article 356 of the Constitution of India, if a state government fails to function in accordance with constitutional provisions, the Union government may impose President's rule. During her presidency, President Pratibha Patil imposed President's rule in states experiencing political instability.

President's rule was imposed in Jharkhand from 19 January 2009, following the resignation of Chief Minister Shibu Soren after he lost a vote of confidence in the legislative assembly. As no party was able to form a stable government, the state was placed under central rule until 12 September 2009, when an elected government was sworn in after assembly elections. [11] [12]

In Andhra Pradesh, President's rule was imposed from 24 February 2010, following the resignation of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah amid prolonged political uncertainty after the death of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. President's rule remained in force until 25 November 2010, when N. Kiran Kumar Reddy assumed office as the new Chief Minister. [13] [14]

Oaths administered

President Pratibha Patil administered the oath of office to the following officers and officials during her tenure (2007–2012):

Oaths Administered by President Pratibha Patil
DateNameOfficeReference
11 August 2007 Mohammad Hamid Ansari 13th Vice President of India [15]
7 January 2008 Vinod Rai Comptroller and Auditor General of India [16]
22 May 2009 Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India (second term) [17]
22 May 2009 Union Council of Ministers Union Council of Ministers [18]
12 May 2010 S. H. Kapadia 38th Chief Justice of India [19]
7 September 2010P. J. ThomasCentral Vigilance Commissioner [20]

Addresses to the parliament

Upon taking the oath

The Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan administering the oath of the office of the President of India to Pratibha Patil at a swearing-in ceremony in the central hall of Parliament, in New Delhi. The Chief Justice of India Shri K.G. Balakrishnan administering the oath of the office of the President of India to Smt. Pratibha Patil at a swearing-in ceremony in the central hall of Parliament, in New Delhi.jpg
The Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan administering the oath of the office of the President of India to Pratibha Patil at a swearing-in ceremony in the central hall of Parliament, in New Delhi.

On 25 July 2007, President Pratibha Patil addressed the Parliament after being sworn in as India's first woman President. In her inaugural speech, she emphasized the importance of socially inclusive economic growth and called for a relentless campaign against poverty, ignorance, and disease. She highlighted the need for women's empowerment and the light of modern education for every child. She cherished the values of the Indian independence struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi and pledged to protect the democratic ideals and secular fabric of the nation. [21]

Joint sitting of the two houses of parliament, 2009

On 4 June 2009, President Patil addressed the first joint sitting of the 15th Lok Sabha. She outlined the government's focus on the "Aam Aadmi" (common man) and spoke in favor of strengthening flagship schemes like the NREGA and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. She also announced the government's commitment to the Women's Reservation Bill and the creation of a "National Mission for Empowerment of Women" to ensure better coordination of women-centric programs. [22]

Joint sitting of the two houses of parliament, 2011

President Patil arriving to address the Budget Session of Parliament on 21 February 2011. Pratibha Devisingh Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament House to address the Members of both the Houses of Parliament on Budget Session, in New Delhi on February 21, 2011 (1).jpg
President Patil arriving to address the Budget Session of Parliament on 21 February 2011.

On 21 February 2011, President Patil addressed the joint sitting of Parliament. She praised India's resilience during the global economic slowdown and highlighted the Right to Education Act as a milestone. She discussed the need for food security and mentioned the government's efforts to bring a comprehensive Food Security Bill. She also touched upon internal security and the importance of addressing challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East. [23]

Joint sitting of the two houses of parliament, 2012

President Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to address the Joint Session of Parliament on 12 March 2012. Pratibha Devisingh Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament House to address the Joint Session of the Parliament on Budget Session, in New Delhi. The Vice President.jpg
President Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to address the Joint Session of Parliament on 12 March 2012.

On 12 March 2012, in her final address to the joint sitting, President Patil noted the healthy 7% growth rate of the economy despite global uncertainties. She emphasized transparency in governance and mentioned the introduction of several anti-corruption bills, including the Lokpal Bill and the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill. She also congratulated the citizens on the successful completion of the 2011 Census, noting that India was poised to reap a "demographic dividend" through skill development. [24]

60th Anniversary of the Parliament

President Patil addressing the special function to mark the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of the Parliament in 2012. Pratibha Devisingh Patil addressing at the function to mark the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of the Parliament of India, in Central Hall of Parliament House, in New Delhi. The Vice President and Chairman.jpg
President Patil addressing the special function to mark the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of the Parliament in 2012.

On 13 May 2012, President Patil addressed a special joint sitting to mark the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of the Parliament of India. She described the Parliament as the "repository of the will of the people" and paid tribute to the living members of the first Lok Sabha. She urged members to maintain the dignity of the house and ensure that the chariot of democracy continues to surmount all challenges. [25]

Foreign visits

References

  1. ↑ https://eoi.gov.in/kabul/?pdf0201?000
  2. ↑ "Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil". pratibhapatil.nic.in. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "Foreign Visits by Smt. Pratibha Patil During Presidency". pratibhapatil.info. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "Hamid Ansari sworn in as Vice-President". Hindustan Times. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  5. ↑ "President Appoints Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister". presidentofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  6. ↑ "Ex-President Pratibha Patil Conferred Mexico's Highest Civilian Honour". NDTV. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "Pratibha Patil elected 13th President". The Hindu. 21 July 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  8. ↑ "First woman President of India". BBC News. 22 July 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "Why Shiv Sena is supporting Pratibha Patil". Rediff.com. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  10. ↑ "Pratibha Patil passes on 11 clemency pleas to Pranab Mukherjee". The Times of India. 25 July 2012. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "President's rule imposed in Jharkhand". The Hindu. 19 January 2009. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  12. ↑ "President's rule revoked in Jharkhand". The Times of India. 12 September 2009. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "President's rule imposed in Andhra Pradesh". The Hindu. 24 February 2010. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  14. ↑ "President's rule revoked in Andhra Pradesh". The Times of India. 25 November 2010. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  15. ↑ "Hamid Ansari sworn in as Vice-President". Hindustan Times. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  16. ↑ "Vinod Rai sworn in as CAG". The Hindu. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  17. ↑ "Manmohan Singh sworn in as PM for second term". Times of India. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  18. ↑ "President Administers Oaths of Office to Council of Ministers". PIB. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  19. ↑ PTI (12 May 2010). "Justice S H Kapadia sworn in as Chief Justice of India". Rediff.com. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  20. ↑ "P J Thomas sworn in as CVC". The Economic Times. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  21. ↑ "Assumption of Office as President of India – July 25, 2007". Archives of Women's Political Communication. 25 July 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  22. ↑ "President addresses joint session of Parliament". NDTV. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  23. ↑ "Highlights of President Pratibha Patil's address to Parliament". The Hindu. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  24. ↑ "President Pratibha Patil's address to Parliament - March 12, 2012". The Hindu. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  25. ↑ "Parliament's 60th anniversary: President Pratibha Patil addresses joint sitting". India Today. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.