New Delhi: Pranab Mukherjee won the Presidential election on Sunday, defeating PA Sangma by a huge margin. Pranab bagged 69 per cent of the votes, while Sangma got 31 per cent. Even as Pranab thanked the country and his supporters, Sangma sulked and went on to accuse the UPA of wooing states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with special financial packages to get votes.
While the Congress and allies celebrated Pranab's win and congratulated him, they also called Sangma a 'sore loser' for not accepting defeat. "Magnanimity should mark the conduct of people, who contest elections. Gritting after losing an election only endorses the proverb that grapes are sour (when you cannot reach them)," party spokespersson Manish Tewari told reporters when asked to comment on Sangma's contentions.
Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi also rejected Sangma's contentions saying "I think one should not talk with such a narrow vision".
Even before the Election Commission declared the final results, there was a steady stream of visitors at Pranab's residence with allies including the Mamata banerjee-led Trinamool Congress congratulating Pranab. The members of the UPA celebrated with music, sweets and dance and came out in the media thanking supporters for Pranab's win. This raised questions as to whether the victory was Pranab's personal win or was it the victory of the UPA.
Congress MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi said that it was the victory of both Pranab and the UPA. He said that it was because of the UPA that Pranab had the image of a perfect troubleshooter.
"We are delighted to hear about Pranab Mukherjee's victory," DMK leader TR Baalu said.
Much to Sangma's disadvantage there was cross voting in BJP-ruled Karnataka with Pranab winning by 1834 votes.
Sangma who had literally put his entire career at stake for the President's office got just 3,15,000 votes. While he congratulated Pranab Mukherjee, he also lashed out at his opponents and accused them of bias.
"The election process was exceptionally partisan and political through economic and other packages, inducements and threats," Sangma said.
Pranab is now set to take oath as the 13th President of India on July 25.
(With additional information from PTI)
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