MLAs in ruling J

Srinagar, July 7 (UNI) UPA-Left Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil, who arrived here today on a day-long visit as part of her election campaigning for the top post, was assured full support by the MLAs of the ruling coalition in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has pledged full support of the ruling coalition to her on her maiden visit to Kashmir today.

Mr Azad assured Mrs Patil on behalf of his party and the coalition partners that they would cast 100 per cent votes in her favour.

Mrs Patil, accompanied by AICC spokesperson, Mrs Jayanti Natrajan, Minister of State in PMO Prithviraj Chauhan and Congress Election Observer Ashwani Sikri, flew here from Delhi to meet the MLAs of the ruling coalition.

Among others, senior leaders from all the coalition partners attended the meeting, assuring her full support from their respective parties.

Welcoming Mrs Patil, Mr Azad said she would prove to be a highly able and impartial president under whose guidance the country would receive a new direction.

He said Mrs Patil is a thoroughly secular person who respects every religion and shares her love and affection with all communities.

The Chief Minister said election of Mrs Patil as President of India would give the country a lead even over the United States where a woman president is still a debating issue.

He said Mrs Patil had held all important public offices and now the only post left for her to occupy is the President of India and we will ensure she wins with a massive majority.

He told her that the state legislature would be in session at the time of the Presidential election and 100 percent presence of the coalition MLAs would be ensured.

The Chief Minister recalled that for several years, he had fought from constituencies in Maharashtra, adjacent to Ms Patil's seat.

He introduced Mrs Patil to all the legislators present in the meeting and urged her to pay her first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after getting elected as the President.

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