New Delhi, July 22: 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.
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.
DMK leaders TR Baalu and Dayanidhi rpt Dayanidhi 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.
Among other leaders who greeted Mukherjee were Union Ministers Anand Sharma, Kamal Nath, Pawan Kumar Bansal, Jyotiraditya Scindia and V Narayanasamy.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati also drove to his residence and congratulated Mukherjee. “I am sure he will do his best to strengthen the Constitution,” Mayawati told reporters.
Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Janardan Dwivedi also visited Mukherjee's residence to congratulate him.
