New Delhi: Ram Nath Kovind will be India's 14th President. The NDA's candidate today defeated former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar by receiving nearly two-thirds of the votes from the country's lawmakers. As soon as the announcement of Mr Kovind's massive win was made, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to congratulate the former Bihar Governor.
"Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji on being elected the President of India! Best wishes for a fruitful and inspiring tenure... Gladdened by the extensive support for Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji among MPs and across various states. I thank members of the electoral college," he said in a series of tweets.
The Prime Minister also tweeted two photos of himself with Mr Kovind, one from 20 years ago and the other from present times.
71-year-old Mr Kovind, who will be the second Dalit to hold the top constitutional position after KR Narayanan, received 2,930 votes with a value of 7,02,044, returning officer Anoop Mishra said. His opponent Meira Kumar got 1,844 votes with a value of 3,67,314.
"I congratulate Shri Ram Nath Kovindji for becoming the President of India. My best wishes with Shri Kovindji as it has fallen upon him to uphold Constitution in letter&spirit in these challenging times," Ms Kumar said.
BJP chief Amit Shah too took to Twitter to congratulate Mr Kovind, who is the first BJP member to be elected President.
"Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji for emphatic victory in the 2017 Presidential elections. His victory is truly historic," Mr Shah tweeted.
The presidential poll on Monday saw nearly 99 per cent voting, the highest ever, according to the returning officer. Polling was held simultaneously at 32 polling stations -- one in Parliament House and one each in 29 state assemblies and two union territories with assemblies.
"Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji on being elected the President of India! Best wishes for a fruitful and inspiring tenure... Gladdened by the extensive support for Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji among MPs and across various states. I thank members of the electoral college," he said in a series of tweets.
71-year-old Mr Kovind, who will be the second Dalit to hold the top constitutional position after KR Narayanan, received 2,930 votes with a value of 7,02,044, returning officer Anoop Mishra said. His opponent Meira Kumar got 1,844 votes with a value of 3,67,314.
"I congratulate Shri Ram Nath Kovindji for becoming the President of India. My best wishes with Shri Kovindji as it has fallen upon him to uphold Constitution in letter&spirit in these challenging times," Ms Kumar said.
Advertisement
"Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji for emphatic victory in the 2017 Presidential elections. His victory is truly historic," Mr Shah tweeted.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Top 10 Recommendations Of Ex-President-Led Panel On Simultaneous Polls 'One Nation, One Election' Explained. What Is It And How It Can Work "Unanimous Opinion, Need Simultaneous Polls": NDTV Accesses Key Report After Retest, Haryana NEET Centre With Most Top Scorers Gave This Result... What Recovery Of Austrian Gun 'Steyr AUG' From J&K Terrorists Means The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Took Credit For Biggest-Ever IT Outage Actor Darshan Directed To Approach Magistrate Court For Home Food In Jail ICSI Hiring Company Secretary Executives, Check Details ''Microsoft Makes Third-Rate Products'': Old Interview Of Steve Jobs Viral Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.