Nitish Kumar extends support to NDA’s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind in JDU meet

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday decided to extend his support to NDA’s Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind. The decision was taken in the party meeting which was called by him on Wednesday.

We have decided to support RamNath Kovind, said Ratnesh Sada, JDU MLA after JDU meeting in Bihar's Patna

Earlier, after the declaration to make Ram Nath as President candidate, Nitish Kumar met him in Bihar. After meeting Ram Nath, Nitish said that he is happy because a governor from Bihar has been nominated as President candidate. But, he refused to comment about his support to Ram Nath for President post.

Nitish said that it would be too early to comment on support to Ram Nath because discussion among Opposition leaders is yet to be held. He said that he has already informed about his feelings to RJD supremo Lalu Yadav and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

On June 19, the BJP Parliamentary Board, the party’s highest decision-making body, proposed the name of current Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as the NDA candidate for next Presidential elections due in July. The nomination papers are expected to be filed on June 23. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah attended the meet.
The 71-year-old low profile Dalit leader, a two-term BJP Rajya Sabha member, is seen as an astute choice by the saffron party, which has been

targeted by opposition parties over Dalit issues, and his election is almost a certainty as the ruling bloc with the support of some regional parties enjoys a majority in the electoral college.

"I am sure Ram Nath Kovind, a farmer's son, will make an exceptional president & continue to be voice for poor, downtrodden, said PM Narendra Modi after the annuncement of the name of BJP Governor as NDA's Presidential candidate.

BJP President Amit Shah made the announcement following over two-hour long meeting of the party's parliamentary board, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior party leaders.

Seeking support from opposition parties, Shah said Modi spoke to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sought their support.

Also read: Opposition divided over Kovind's candidature for President post; Nitish, Mayawati give 'indication' on supporting him

Also read: President poll | PM Modi meets NDA's President pick Ram Nath Kovind in presence of BJP chief Amit Shah