By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday described the landslide win of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil, as a "vote against the politics of divisiveness".
Among the first to arrive along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi to congratulate the 72-year-old lawyer who was elected the first woman president of India Saturday, Singh said, "This is a vote against the politics of divisiveness."
"It is a vote in favour of unity and for strengthening the foundations of our secular credentials and politics."
Gandhi, too, thanked the alliance partners, particularly the Left, for ensuring Patil's victory who defeated her rival, vice-president, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in a one-sided contest by over 300,000 votes.
"This (victory) is a special moment for women and also men. This is the first time we have a woman president and I take the opportunity to thank the Left parties and other allies who extended support and ensured her (Patil's) victory," said Gandhi.
She made a special mention of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati and thanked her for supporting the UPA candidate.
Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee congratulated Patil.
In a message sent along with flowers to the UPA-Left presidential candidate, he said, "Please accept by heartiest felicitation on your resounding victory and my best wishes for your glorious tenure as our Rashtrapatiji."
Patil's expected victory was the culmination of a month-long bitter campaign, which saw the worst mud-slinging in the run up to choose the successor to A P J Abdul Kalam.
Counting was conducted in Parliament House amidst tight security and strict vigil by the Election Commission.