TN Governor K. Rosaiah on Sunday telephoned Pranab Mukherjee and congratulated him on his handsome victory in the Presidential election, a Raj Bhavan spokesman here said.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi told reporters that Mukherjee telephoned him to convey gratitude for the DMK support to him. The UPA candidate had secured a big majority in the voting “because he has been a good democrat and administrator”, Karunanidhi said.
Asked if he would witness Mukherjee’s swearing-in ceremony, the 88-year-old stalwart said DMK Parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu and other MPs would represent the party at the ceremony. It may be recalled that Pranab had launched his Presidential campaign after meeting Karunanidhi at his Chennai residence.
On whether his party would urge Mukherjee to commute the death sentence of Rajiv Gandhi's three assassins Perarivalan, Murugan and Santhan, the DMK chief said the party had already appealed in the matter. “We have already expressed our opinion that there should be no death sentence. Our party has made an appeal”, he said.
To a question if the Pranab win could be interpreted as a public support for the UPA in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, Karunanidhi said, “I definitely hope so”.
Meanwhile, Congress headquarters Satyamurthi Bhavan witnessed robust celebrations as party members burst crackers and distributed sweets. TNCC president B.S. Gnanadesikan said, “Sangma had predicted a miracle would happen in this election and he would win. True, a miracle did take place. Several BJP members voted for our Pranab Mukherjee”.