Wave of joy in Vidarbha over Pratibha's candidature

Nagpur, Jun 14 (UNI) A wave of joy swept across Vidarbha region of Maharashtra after selection of Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Left parties as their Presidential candidate.

The residents of Amravati, which is her 'sasural' (in-laws' place), were especially happy at her nomination for the country's top post.

''Mrs Patil's nomination is an honour to Maharashtra and Vidarbha in general and Amravati in particular, and has come as a pleasant surprise,' residents said.

Reacting to her nomination, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) member Prabhavati Ojha said it was an honour for all women in the country.

''It is indeed an honour for women, who form nearly 50 per cent of the country's population, that one of them has been selected for the country's top post,'' Mrs Ojha said.

In a coincidence, Mrs Patil's selection came on the eve of the visit to Vidarbha by President A P J Abdul Kalam.

UNI