Kathamandu, July 22 : Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, who was elected as the first President of the Republic of Nepal, has said that his election as the head of the state is a victory of democracy.

"This is the victory of democracy. This is the victory of all Nepalis people. I want to thank all the members of the Constituent Assembly," he said.

Besides meeting Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at Baluwatar, Yadav also visited the Pashupatinath Temple last evening, nepalnews reported.

Yadav was backed by the CPN (UML), the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, the CPN (ML), the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, CPN (United), the Rastriya Janamorcha, the Rastriya Janashakti Party and a few other fringe parties.

Yadav had been elected President by winning a simple majority. He bagged 308 votes while his rival Ram Raja Prasad Singh, who was backed by the Maoists, ended up with 282 votes.

The 61-year-old president elect hails from Dhanusha District. He was the general secretary of the Congress party. (ANI)