PHOTOS: Festivities mark President Pranab's triumph

A festive atmosphere prevailed outside the residence of Pranab Mukherjee with beating of drums, distribution of sweets and bursting of crackers as a host of political leaders, associates and his relatives congratulated him on being declared elected as President.

Among the early callers at his Talkatora Road residence, located not far from Parliament House, were Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Cabinet ministers.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari also called Mukherjee to congratulate him.

Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi came together ahead of PM's visit to greet the 76-year-old veteran. They were soon joined by Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur.

With inputs from PTI

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CONGRATULATE Pranab Mukherjee!

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Union ministers AK Anthony, P Chidambaram, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Subodh Kant Sahai, Farooq Abdullah, E Ahamed and visited Mukherjee's residence to greet him for becoming the 13th President of India.

"We thank our all our allies for the victory of Pranab Mukherjee as the President of India. This is an emphatic victory," Chidambaram said after meeting Mukherjee.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders TR Baalu and Murasoli Maran had also come to greet Mukherjee.

Congress leaders from West Bengal including Manas Bhuiyan, a minister from the state, also felicitated Mukherjee.

"This is a very happy moment for us as he has become the President. Whole of Bengal is celebrating alongwith the entire nation," Bhuniya said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also congratualted Mukherjee.

Scores of Congress leaders including UP Congress leaders Rita Bahuguna and party MPs Jagdambika Pal, Bhakta Charan Das, Mohisina Kidwai among others called on Mukherjee.

The road was out of bounds for the local traffic, and both sides of the entrance to the residence were barricaded. Media persons turned out in huge numbers and took positions on both the sides, eager to catch a glimpse of the leaders passing in and out of his house.

Members of a local group, Jawaharlal Nehru Seva Dal, were among the firsts of the revelers on the streets. Delhi police cars, security vans, and fire fighters were parked in close proximity.

All through the evening, a steady string of visitors came to the residence, and greeted Pranab Mukherjee. And while senior leaders, P Chidambaram, A K Antony and Ajit Jogi were few of the early visitors, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Farooq Abdullah too arrived later in the evening.

The leaders were all in praise for Pranab Mukherjee.  

Congress leader Jagdambika Pal said, "The outcome (of the Presidential polls) have proved that he (Pranab Mukherjee) holds very high stature. It has been proved by the cross voting, and people across party lines have voted for him."

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah too arrived and said while walking up to the residence, "It has been an impressive victory. He has held many important posts in his long career."

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar too walked inside with a banquet of flowers.

On the outside, people were getting restless and wanted to see their new President. A few in the crowd complained, "What happens once he takes shapath (oath)? Will he become completely inaccessible?"

However, the newly elected President appeared at entrance gate and addressed the media, for the first time after he had been officially declared elected.

"I have been waiting for the counting to get over," India's 13th President Pranab Mukherjee said.

"I would like to express my deep gratitude and thanks to the people of this country who have conferred the responsibility of the highest office to me."

Reaching out to the common citizen, the President said, "I felt the warmth of the ordinary people during my visit (to various state capitals in the run up to the elections). I have received much more from the people of this great country."

In the background, the sound of the firecrackers grew louder and hoards of Congress workers now joined the merrymakers on the streets.

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