Victory: Supporters celebrate as new president elected

Supporters and members of the Indian ruling political party Bhartiya Janta Party celebrate the election of Ram Nath Kovind as president of India at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi.

Mr Kovind was elected India’s new president yesterday, in the second time since independence a head of state has been chosen from the bottom of the Hindu caste system.

He won the largely ceremonial position with more than 65 per cent of the vote by members of India’s parliament and state assemblies, the election commission said.

Mr Kovind pledged to help poor farmers and workers as he recalled his childhood living in a mud hut.

“I never dreamed of this position,” he said.