Patil greets Ansari, PM says victory of ''merit, secularism''

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today greeted Dr Hamid Ansari on his election as Vice-President.

Soon after Dr Ansari was elected, Mrs Patil telephonically spoke to him and congratulated him, a Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesperson said.

Dr Singh and Ms Gandhi visited the 11 South Avenue and extended their greetings to Mr Ansari.

The Prime Minister described his election as ''the victory of merit and secular values.'' Ms Gandhi said she was very much happy with the results as all coalition partners voted for Mr Ansari.

The Presidential polls had seen some tense moments but in these polls everything went smoothly. ''This is the second victory we have got now,'' she said.

In the triangular contest, Dr Ansari beat NDA candidate Najma Heptulla and UNPA nominee Rashid Masood.

UNI