New Delhi: It’s going to be history in the making as UPA-Left candidate Ms. Patil gets set to be first woman president of India.

For the presidential poll, the counting of votes started at 11 am today.

The 72-year-old lawyer from Maharashtra was opposed against Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Pratibha, who was carefully selected by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, had the support of the governing UPA, the Left and the BSP.

She is likely to get above six lakh votes, whereas Shekhawat is anticipated to get a little more than 3.5 lakh votes in his name.

Returning Officer P D T Achary opened the first balloting box at the counting centre at Parliament House. Union Minister P R Dasmunsi and Satyapal Jain, the election agents of Patil and Shekhawat were also there.

The name of the successor to A P J Abdul Kalam is projected to be declared by 2 pm today.