A. P. J. Abdul Kalam became the 11th President by beating his nearest rival Lakshmi Sahgal.

[1] The election was fought between two major candidates, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Lakshmi Sahgal.

[1] Kalam was backed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its National Democratic Alliance.

[2] The major opposition party Indian National Congress, two days after the nomination, declared its support to Kalam's candidature.

[3] Left Front were opposed to Kalam's candidature, and eventually nominated freedom fighter and Indian National Army's Rani of Jhansi Regiment commander Lakshmi Sahgal as their candidate.