Ram Nath Kovind files nomination papers for Presidential election 2017 in presence of PM Modi, senior BJP leaders, allies

In a massive show of strength by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), its Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, now former Bihar Governor, filed his nomination paers for the upcoming elections for the next President of India.

Updated: June 23, 2017 12:32 PM IST

By Pragati Ratti Sharma

Ram Nath Kovind with PM Narendra Modi, BJP leader LK Advani, SAD chief Parkash SIngh Badal and other NDA allies
Ram Nath Kovind with PM Narendra Modi, BJP leader LK Advani, SAD chief Parkash SIngh Badal and other NDA allies

New Delhi, June 23: In a massive show of strength by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), its Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, now former Bihar Governor, filed his nomination papers for the upcoming elections for the next President of India in Parliament on Friday. Kovind was accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as other senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. Leaders of the BJP allies including the TDP and 20 chief ministers of NDA-ruled states also accompanied Kovind as he filed hi nomination papers. Kovind was also provided ‘Z+’ and NSG security cover by the Centre ahead of filing his nomination papers. He also took blessings from senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the past two days ahead of filing his nomination papers.

Among those present with Ram Nath Kovind while he filed his nomination papers were senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami. “I am thankful to all those who have supported me, will try to maintain the dignity of the post. Since the day I was made the Governor of Bihar, I belong to no political party, and as President, too, I will follow that path,” Kovind said after filing his nomination.

The election for the next President of India will be held on July 17 and the counting will take place on July 20. President Pranab Mukherjee’s term will end on July 24.

In what seems to be a one-sided contest now, the numbers so far are in favour of the NDA candidate. Besides the allies of the BJP, the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United and both E Palaniswamy as well as O Panneerselvam’s AIADMK have also announced their support for Kovind. The collective electoral value of votes of 4,120 MLAs and 776 MPs adds to 10,98,903. For winning the election, either candidates need to secure the halfway mark – 5,49,442. With the current support, the electoral support for Kovind is pegged at 62.8 per cent, i.e., around 6,90,111 points. (Here is how the numbers stack up in the Ram Nath Kovind vs Meira Kumar contest)

Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit leader, has held various organisational positions in the BJP. Kovind, 71, was made the Bihar governor in 2015 after the NDA came to power in May 2014. He enjoys a clean reputation and has steered clear of any controversy in his over 26-year-old political career. His Dalit background makes him a sound political choice for the saffron party working overtime to woo Dalits.

On the other hand, the Congress-led Opposition has announced former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar as its candidate. Kumar is likely to file her nomination papers for the Presidential election 2017 on June 27. The 17 Opposition parties backing Meira Kumar’s candidature constitute 33.7 per cent of the electoral strength. In terms of voting points, they amount to 3,70,330. Among non-aligned legislators and lawmakers, those from the Aam Aadmi Party constitute 0.8 per cent, whereas, other independents and smaller parties amount to 2.7 per cent.

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