Pratibha Patil, whose loyalty to Nehru-Gandhi family was widely perceived to be a major factor in her nomination as United Progressive Alliance-Left presidential candidate, on Saturday asserted she would not be a "rubber stamp" President.

"I have never been a rubber stamp governor and there is no reason why I should be a rubber stamp President. I have my own independent thinking," she told NDTV when asked whether she would be a rubber stamp President.

Patil, who is likely to take on Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who may contest against her as an independent candidate with National Democratic Alliance support, said she would resign as Rajasthan governor before filing her nomination.

She sought an appointment for a meeting with Shekhawat, but was surprised to see him at her door in the Jodhpur House in Delhi along with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Terming her nomination as a "big step for women," she said UPA's decision reflected how much respect the fair sex gets in the country and that she would help in empowerment of women.

"My candidature for the top post is a big step for women. This shows that India has a lot of respect for women," 72-year-old Patil told reporters on her arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi from Jaipur on Saturday morning.

She said her candidature would "inspire" other women and help in their empowerment.

The Rajasthan governor arrived in Delhi and met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.