Khattar, Badal congratulate Kovind

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and former Punjab Chief Minister and Akali Dal stalwart Parkash Singh Badal today congratulated Ram Nath Kovind on being elected India's 14th president.
"I heartily congratulate Ram Nath Kovind on being elected the 14th President of India. He symbolises the aspirations of the poor and the underprivileged. I wish him a promising and successful tenure," Khattar said.
In his message Badal said that the NDA nominee's victory was also a victory of rational forces who wanted to take the country forward.
Badal's party, the Shiromani Akali Dal, also appreciated the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in nominating a farmer's son for the coveted office.

"We would like to congratulate Shri Kovind for the manner in which he managed to take everyone along with him due to the force of his personality and self deeds," Badal and his son and former deputy chief minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal said.
Parkash Singh Badal said that Kovind was also a role model for India's youth.

"Kovind rose from a simple background to become a self- made man who used his skills as a lawyer to work for the welfare of the under privileged sections of the society," he said.
Sukhbir said that "from Kanpur Dehat (rural hinterland) to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Kovind ji's journey is one of humbleness, hard work and service to society. Our party and Punjabis are proud to elect such a person to the highest office in the country".

Both the SAD leaders wished Kovind the very best "on his elevation as the first citizen of the country".
Chandigarh BJP president Sanjay Tandon also congratulated Kovind.
"Congratulations to Ram Nath Kovind ji for the emphatic victory," Tandon said describing it as a win for the poor, downtrodden and weaker sections.
Kovind convincingly defeated opposition's Meira Kumar, a former Lok Sabha speaker, winning more than 65 percent of the votes.