Chavan describes Patil's victory as historic moment

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office Prithviraj Chavan today said the nation has its first woman President in its 60th year of independence.

''We are very happy. It is going to be a historic moment for the nation,'' Mr Chavan told reportes at Parliament House where the counting for the 13th Presidential elections was held.

Mr Chavan said the Congress has been talking about reservation for women and this was a step in that direction.

Describing the mud slinging in the campaign as unfortunate, Mr Chavan said that it happened beacause nobody tried to analyse the Maharashtra Cooperative Act. He said awareness had to be created about how these cooperatives work in state.

According to Mr Chavan all the legislators need to do social work and develop rural areas. The state government would help them in this regard.

He said for Maharashtra it was a proud moment as Ms Patil is the first person from the state to hold the highest constitutional position in the country.

Earlier, M Hidayatullah from the state held the post of vice-president.

Giving details of the programme of Ms Patil, he said as soon as elections results are finalised the returning officer and secretary general of Lok Sabha P D T Achary will take the result to the elected President at her South Avenue residence.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi will also reach there to formally congratulate Ms Patil. After that constitutional dignitaries may reach there to wish her, followed by chief ministers, governors and MPs.

UNI