NDA’s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind reached out to Opposition parties after he filed his nomination for the top post here on Friday, saying that the President’s post was above party politics and he would strive to maintain its dignity.
This statement comes at a time when the Opposition has decided to go for a contest – fielding former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who too is a Dalit like Mr. Kovind – on the grounds that this election was very crucial for the country’s future.
Even if the NDA has a clear edge in the electoral college, many Opposition parties felt the ruling alliance’s candidate should not go uncontested.
“Ever since I became Governor, I don’t belong to any political party. The post of President is above party politics. I am thankful to everybody for their support,” Mr. Kovind told reporters, making an inclusive pitch. “I will do my best to maintain the dignity of the high office of the President.”
Earlier he filed his nomination papers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and party veterans L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.
Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled States – with the exception of Manohar Parrikar of Goa – were also present. Ally and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was not present. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi K. Palaniswami were present during the filing of the nomination.
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While the NDA alone constitutes almost half of the electoral college for the presidential polls, Mr. Kovind has also got the support of the AIADMK, JD(U), BJD and TRS. With such support, he seems way ahead of Ms. Meira Kumar, the presidential candidate of the Opposition.
The election is scheduled for July 17 and the counting of votes will take place on July 20.
Asked about national security, Mr. Kovind said, “The President is also the supreme commander of the three defence forces. It is our duty to keep the border secure.”
( With inputs from PTI )
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind and other Senior BJP leaders and Chief Ministers of other states on their way to file nomination paper for the post of President at Parliament house in New Delhi on Friday.
