Mayawati greets Patil on victory

Lucknow, July 21 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati today extended her greetings to Ms Pratibha Patil on being elected as the first woman President of India.

In her message, Ms Mayawati said she felt proud of the victory of Ms Patil.

The Chief Minister noted that after the country's independence, it was for the first time that any woman would hold the high office of the president as first citizen.

''Her victory would strengthen the democracy and encourage the secular forces in the nation,'' Ms Mayawati added.

UNI