ITANAGAR, July 22: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Sunday evening congratulated Pranab Mukherjee for his overwhelming victory in the Presidential elections even as votes are still being counted in Parliament House. The UPA candidate for the highest post of India had already crossed the magic mark - 5.25 lakh of the 10.5 lakh total votes, setting the stage to become the 13th President of India. When Tuki extended his heartwarming congratulations the 75 year old Congress veteran had already accumulated more than 7 lakhs votes.

Tuki, with almost all legislators of the State Legislative Assembly, had met Pranab at Guwahati on July 6 last, and extended support to his candidatute. He had assured absolute majority from the State in the election that was held on July 19 last.

True to the promise, Pranab got 54 votes from the 60 member legislative assembly. While one Congress MLA – Jomin Tayeng - could not vote due to ill health, two went in favour of P A Sangma, Pranab’s opponent in the race to Raisana Hills. Unfortunately, three of the votes cast were declared invalid.

In the 60-member State Assembly 46 are Congress, 5 AITC, 5 NCP, 3 BJP and 1 Independent. In the Parliament Arunachal accounts for 3 MPs – 2 in the Lok Sabha and 1 in Rajya Sabha – and all are of the Congress Party. This was stated in a press release.