New Delhi, July 22 (ANI): President- elect Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday expressed gratitude towards the people for his victory, while vowing to defend and protect the Constitution in his capacity as the country's first citizen.

Interacting with mediapersons here, Mukherjee said, I have deep gratitude and appreciation for the people of this great country for conferring this distinction of electing me to the high office.

Mukherjee said that he would work to defend the Constitution and justify the faith reposed in him.

It would now be my responsibility to defend and protect the Constitution as President. I would try to justify in modest way to be trustworthy of my people, he said.

Recounting his month-long campaign for presidency, the ex-Congressman said though he interacted only with the legislators, he could feel the overwhelming support and affection of the people.

The overwhelming support and affection of ordinary people which I felt during the tour was really remarkable, he said.

He also thanked all sections of society, the political parties and parliamentarians for the support during his more than four decades of public life.

I received much more than I gave them, he said. (ANI)