New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi are expected to visit Pranab Mukherjee's home only after he has officially been declared the next President of India. But a fake Manmohan Singh has already been there.
This gent, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the PM, caused some double-takes as he entered 13 Talkatora Road, which has seen a steady stream of visitors since this morning, VIPs and commoners alike.
Sweets are being distributed and bands are playing outside the gate as Mr Mukherjee's supporters dance ecstatically. The results are yet to be announced but they are sure the winner lives here.
Of the 733 valid votes of MPs counted, Mr Mukherjee had got 527 with a value of 373,116 and Mr Sangma 206 votes with a value of 145,848. The final result will be out by 4.30 p.m.
"Pranab's victory is a foregone conclusion... We are already celebrating," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajv Shukla said here as counting of votes polled in the presidential polls continued at Parliament House here.
"With his years of experience, Mukherjee will be one of the wisest presidents," Delhi Chief Minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said.
"I think he will be a wise president, not being a political president or an administrative president. Because he has so many years of experience in both governance and working in the party, I think he will be one of the wisest presidents we have had," Ms Dikshit told a TV channel.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Mr Mukherjee and congratulated him. Explaining his early arrival, Mr Gehlot told reporters gathered outside that he had come early to congratulate Mr Mukherjee as he anticipated a rush later.
"Ever since his name was announced, the atmosphere in the whole country was in his favour," he said.
By the afternoon, more visitors congregated at his residence including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and Maharashtra Congress leader Patang Rao Kadam being the known faces among them.
"I have come here to congratulate and have sweets," Mr Jogi quipped while entering Mukherjee's residential compound.
This gent, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the PM, caused some double-takes as he entered 13 Talkatora Road, which has seen a steady stream of visitors since this morning, VIPs and commoners alike.
Sweets are being distributed and bands are playing outside the gate as Mr Mukherjee's supporters dance ecstatically. The results are yet to be announced but they are sure the winner lives here.
Of the 733 valid votes of MPs counted, Mr Mukherjee had got 527 with a value of 373,116 and Mr Sangma 206 votes with a value of 145,848. The final result will be out by 4.30 p.m.
"Pranab's victory is a foregone conclusion... We are already celebrating," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajv Shukla said here as counting of votes polled in the presidential polls continued at Parliament House here.
"With his years of experience, Mukherjee will be one of the wisest presidents," Delhi Chief Minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said.
"I think he will be a wise president, not being a political president or an administrative president. Because he has so many years of experience in both governance and working in the party, I think he will be one of the wisest presidents we have had," Ms Dikshit told a TV channel.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Mr Mukherjee and congratulated him. Explaining his early arrival, Mr Gehlot told reporters gathered outside that he had come early to congratulate Mr Mukherjee as he anticipated a rush later.
"Ever since his name was announced, the atmosphere in the whole country was in his favour," he said.
By the afternoon, more visitors congregated at his residence including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and Maharashtra Congress leader Patang Rao Kadam being the known faces among them.
"I have come here to congratulate and have sweets," Mr Jogi quipped while entering Mukherjee's residential compound.
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