New Delhi, July 23 (PTI): President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday asked political parties to rise above partisan politics in national interest and decide what is necessary for the welfare of people.
In his farewell address to parliamentarians at Parliament's Central Hall, Kovind emphasised the value of peace and harmony, saying people have a right to oppose and create pressure to pursue their goals, but their methods must be Gandhian.
His comments assume significance at a time when parliamentary proceedings have been frequently disrupted due to the Opposition's protests over a number of issues.
Kovind said he always considered himself as a part of the larger family, which included the members of parliament.
They may have differences at times like any family has, but they should work together for the larger interests of the country, he said.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla joined the ceremony to bid farewell to the outgoing President whose term ends on Sunday.
President-Elect Droupadi Murmu will take oath as the 15th President of India on Monday. She will be the first tribal person to occupy the country's highest constitutional post.
Kovind congratulated Murmu and said the country will benefit from her guidance.
He said he will always be grateful to the citizens of country for giving him the opportunity to serve as President.
Murmu’s swearing in ceremony on Monday
President-elect Droupadi Murmu will be sworn in as India's 15th President in the Central Hall of Parliament House on July 25 and Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will administer the oath of office to her.
The term of incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 24.
The Election Commission had on Friday issued a 'certificate of election' to NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu who has emerged victorious in the presidential poll.
The certificate is issued after the returning officer hands over the result to the poll panel.
"CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar & EC Shri Anup Chandra Pandey jointly signed the 'Certification of the Election of Shrimati Droupadi Murmu as the next President of India' after ECI received the Return of Election & a Declaration of Result of election from the Returning Officer," the poll panel tweeted.
The certificate will now be sent to the Union Home Secretary, who will read it out at the oath-taking ceremony of the 15th President of India.
Murmu scripted history on Thursday by becoming India's first tribal President in the one-sided contest, defeating Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.
The 64-year-old won by an overwhelming margin against Sinha after receiving over 64 per cent valid votes in a day-long counting of ballots of MPs and MLAs, comprising the electoral college, to succeed Kovind.
After the end of the counting process that continued for more than 10 hours, returning officer P C Mody declared Murmu as the winner and said she got 6,76,803 votes against Sinha's 3,80,177 votes.
She will be the first President to be born after Independence and the youngest to occupy the top post. She is also the second woman to become the President after Pratibha Patil.