The Hindu : National : Vote against divisive forces, says Manmohan

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Sunday, Jul 22, 2007
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Vote against divisive forces, says Manmohan

Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday described the victory of the United Progressive Alliance-Left candidate Pratibha Patil in the Presidential election as a “victory against those forces who seek to divide the country and the people.” He said the result of the election showed that it was a vote against the politics of divisiveness.

Soon after the result declared her winner, both Dr. Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi drove to the South Avenue residence of the President-elect and felicitated her. Dr. Singh said it was a victory which would strengthen the foundations of unity and secular character of the country.

Looking visibly pleased, Ms. Gandhi described Ms. Patil’s victory as “historic.” She said she felt proud that the country would have a woman as the President for the first time after 60 years of Independence.

Ms. Gandhi thanked all the UPA allies, including Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati, for their support. Ms. Patil along with Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi flashed the victory sign and also posed for photographs as camerapersons went on a clicking spree.

Ms. Patil, draped in a golden yellow sari, came out of her residence to accept the greetings of political leaders and others. A beaming Ms. Patil described her victory as the victory of the people. “This election has proved that it was a victory of the politics of principles and right-thinking people,” she said.

CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan, accompanied by national secretary D. Raja, was there to greet her. “It is a convincing victory and even those who were opposed to her have to reconcile to her being the country’s President. It is a historic moment and we have a woman President in the 60th year of our Independence,” said Mr. Bardhan.

It was jubilation and celebration time at the South Avenue residence of Ms. Patil where a good number of Congress leaders and workers started gathering.

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