Kovind elected Next President of India: What PM Modi, Meira, Sonia said

The National Democratic Alliance nominee received an overwhelming majority of votes from the country’s lawmakers.

Ram Nath Kovind, the former Governor of Bihar was elected as India's 14th President, the first BJP member and the second Dalit to occupy the country's highest office.

The National Democratic Alliance nominee received an overwhelming majority of votes from the country's lawmakers.

The 71-year-old Kovind defeated joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar, a former Lok Sabha speaker, after garnering 65.65 percent of the votes in the electoral college.

Following the official announcement of the results, many other political leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Meira Kumar, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also congratulated Kovind for winning the presidential elections and becoming the 14th President of India.

Narendra Modi

Soon after the results were out Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted the perfect throwback picture on Thursday, Ram Nath Kovind was declared the next President of India, wishing the NDA's pick a "fruitful and inspiring tenure".

I thank members of the electoral college. I also congratulate Meira Kumar Ji for her campaign, which was in spirit of the democratic ethos & values we all are proud of," Modi tweeted.

Meira Kumar

"I congratulate Ram Nath Kovindji for becoming the President of India. My best wishes with Kovindji as it has fallen upon him to uphold Constitution in letter and spirit in these challenging times.

Amit Shah

"Congratulations to Ram Nath Kovind ji for the emphatic victory in the 2017 Presidential elections. His victory is truly historic. I am sure Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji will distinguish himself as an exceptional President of our nation. The election of Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji is a victory for the poor, downtrodden & marginalised and their aspirations.

Sonia Gandhi

"The President of India enjoys a unique position as defender and protector of the Constitution, upholder of democratic traditions and as supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces, Sonia said while expressing best wishes to Kovind.

Pranab Mukherjee

I extend to you my heartiest congratulations on your election as 14th President of Republic of India, Pranab Mukherjee said.

I offer my best wishes to you for successful tenure. May you lead India to path of democracy, stability and prosperity, he added.

Senior leaders like L K Advani, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of various states also congratulated Kovind for his massive victory.

OneIndia News