Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday appealed all political parties in the state to extend their support to Ram Nath Kovind in the upcoming Presidential elections.
The Bihar Governor, who is a Dalit, was earlier in the day declared the National Democratic Alliance's nominee for President. BJP president Amit Shah made the announcement in Delhi earlier in the day..
Mr. Adityanath said there can be "no greater honour" for the Dalit community than to see a social activist from Dalit family rise to the post of President.
"On behalf of the people of UP, I express hearty thanks to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji and BJP national president Amit Shah," Mr. Adityanath.
Describing Bihar Governor Kovind’s candidature by NDA as supreme honour of the Dalit samaj, Adityanath at a hurriedly convened press conference said someone from among them has been selected for the top most constitutional post of the country.
“It is a new social awakening that a Dalit has been selected for the top most constitutional post of the country for which I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on behalf of the people of the state,” the chief minister stressed.
“It is my appeal to all political parties to rise above party politics and support the son of Uttar Pradesh to become the president,” he said, adding that this was his personal appeal as well as that on behalf of his government.
“It is a matter of pride for the 22 crore people of the state,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)