Murli Manohar Joshi hopes Kovind will be successful president

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday congratulated new elected 14th President of India Ramnath Kovind over his victory over opposition presidential nominee Meira Kumar.

"The victory of Kovind was already ensured. He will be a successful president. I congratulate him over his victory in the presidential elections. I hope he will be a successful president and will work for marginalised and poor people," he told ANI.

Kovind obtained 65.65 percent of votes from the electoral college, while his opponent, Kumar secured 34.35 percent.

Kovind secured 2930 votes with a value of 7, 02,044. Meira Kumar got 1,844 votes with the value of 3, 67,314, said Anoop Mishra, the returning officer for the presidential election 2017.

The presidential election on July 17 saw close to 100 percent polling where a total of 771 members of Parliament and 4,109 legislators were eligible to cast votes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Kovind for winning the Presidential elections and becoming the 14th President of India.

Prime Minister Modi took to his Twitter to express his happiness over Ram Nath's victory.

"Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji on being elected the President of India! Best wishes for a fruitful & inspiring tenure," the Prime Minister tweeted.

"Gladdened by the extensive support for Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji among MPs & across various states. I thank members of the electoral college," he added.

The Prime Minister also praised Kovind's opponent in election and Opposition's candidate Meira Kumar for her campaign. He said her campaign was in spirit of the democratic ethos and values.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah also congratulated Kovind for the victory.

"Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji for emphatic victory in the 2017 Presidential elections. His victory is truly historic," he tweeted.

-ANI