Jubilation at Pratibha's residence

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) With the victory of UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil appearing certain, her official residence at 11 South Avenue has turned into a venue of jubilation.

As counting began at 1100 hrs at Parliament House, hundreds of party workers thronged South Avenue. When the results started showing an upper hand to Ms Patil, they turned ecstatic and started singing songs and danced and burst fire crackers.

There was a long queue of party leaders and workers to meet Ms Patil and congratulate her.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will call on Ms Patil at 1600 hrs in the evening by the time the results will be officially declared.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Left leaders are also slated to call on her to convey their greetings.

Party workers were seen marching in groups to Ms Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence. They shouted slogans, hailing Ms Gandhi for her decision to nominate Ms Patil, to make her the first woman President in sixty years after India's independence.

Official sources said security for Ms Patil as well as around her residence has been tightened.

UNI