The resounding victory of UPA-backed candidate Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential polls will prove a morale booster for the Congress-led central government that found itself amidst the cacophony of scams and corruption. And for the BJP, which is eyeing a fragmentation of the ruling coalition and subsequent defeat of Congress in the next general elections, this should prove an eye-opener.

The atmosphere fabricated ahead of the polls would have led some to believe that the ballot box would turn out to be a Pandora’s box for UPA. BJP-supported aspirant P A Sangma went to the extent of saying that he has never tasted a defeat in his electoral career and many friends of his would register cross votes. BJP too was hoping for a miracle mainly due to the lacklustre performance by Congress, at the Centre as well as in Maharashtra.