Uddhav congratulates Pratibha Patil

Mumbai, July 21 (UNI) Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray spoke to President-elect Pratibha Patil over the phone and congratulated her on her massive victory.

Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut told UNI that Mr Thackeray congratulated Pratibhatai on her win and gave best wishes on behalf of Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and the party.

Expressing happiness over the election of Mrs Patil as the next President of India, Mr Raut said his party was happy over the huge margin with which Pratibhatai had won. ''There is a wave of happiness over her victory in Maharashtra and Shiv Sena joins in this celebration,'' he said.

Mr Raut said Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was the first to declare support for Mrs Patil considering the fact that she would be the first Maharashtrian to be elected to the highest post of the land.

''It was feared that there would be cross voting. Cross voting did happen but in favour of Mrs Patil and we are very happy about it,'' he said.

To a question on six votes being declared invalid and three additional votes from the State's MLAs in favour of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Mr Raut said, ''All Shiv Sena MLAs displayed their loyalty to the State by voting for Pratibhatai. We do not know who betrayed the State.'' UNI