Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind is BJP's presidential candidate
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP Chief Amit Shah sprung a surprise yet again when they chose Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit leader from Kanpur, as its Presidential candidate on Monday.
Shah announced the decision after the BJP Parliamentary Board formally endorsed Kovind's name.
71-year old Kovind has been a Rajya Sabha twice. He has also headed BJP's SC Morcha and was national spokesperson though he was not very active in the post.
Kovind belongs to the Koli Dalit caste of Uttar Pradesh.
Shah said the Prime Minister had called up Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh to inform them about the decision.
Congress, Left parties, RJD and DMK among others are likely to put up a candidate against Kovind on the grounds that he is a right winger.
Congress may prop up Meira Kumar, a Dalit leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker, as the opposition candidate.
While all NDA allies have been informed of the BJP choice, Prime Minister Modi spoke to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders about the NDA choice, the BJP President said.
Modi also spoke with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD-U), Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (BJD), Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (TRS) and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu (TDP).
An advocate by profession, he practised law in both High Court and the Supreme Court.
(With inputs from agencies)
Shah announced the decision after the BJP Parliamentary Board formally endorsed Kovind's name.
71-year old Kovind has been a Rajya Sabha twice. He has also headed BJP's SC Morcha and was national spokesperson though he was not very active in the post.
Shri Ram Nath Kovind, a farmer's son, comes from a humble background. He devoted his life to public service & worked for poor & marginalised
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2017
Kovind belongs to the Koli Dalit caste of Uttar Pradesh.
Shah said the Prime Minister had called up Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh to inform them about the decision.
With his illustrious background in the legal arena, Shri Kovind's knowledge and understanding of the Constitution will benefit the nation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2017
Congress, Left parties, RJD and DMK among others are likely to put up a candidate against Kovind on the grounds that he is a right winger.
Congress may prop up Meira Kumar, a Dalit leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker, as the opposition candidate.
I am sure Shri Ram Nath Kovind will make an exceptional President & continue to be a strong voice for the poor, downtrodden & marginalised.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2017
While all NDA allies have been informed of the BJP choice, Prime Minister Modi spoke to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders about the NDA choice, the BJP President said.
Modi also spoke with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD-U), Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (BJD), Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (TRS) and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu (TDP).
An advocate by profession, he practised law in both High Court and the Supreme Court.
(With inputs from agencies)