Indicating that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would prefer a contest in the Presidential elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind is not a tall Dalit leader and that he lacks the stature to occupy the top post.

“There are other big Dalit leaders in the country. Just because he was the leader of Dalit Morcha of the BJP they have made him the candidate. The office of the President is a key post. Someone of the stature of Pranab Mukherjee, or even Sushma Swaraj or Advaniji may have been made the candidate,” she said.

Mamata, however, clarified that she was “not for a moment” saying that Kovind is not fit for the post.
In order to support someone, we must know the person. Candidate should be someone who will be beneficial for the country,” Mamata said.

Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Derek O’Brien also said Kovind was not a well-known person. “The name was announced at the BJP press conference. That’s how we got to know. Not even informed. How many of you logged onto Wikipedia today? I did,” he said.