In PM's presence, Kovind files papers

President poll: With 61% votes, NDA nominee seems set for victory

 In a show of strength, BJP Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind filed his nomination papers on Friday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several top NDA leaders.

Kovind said he will work hard to maintain the dignity of the top constitutional office, which, he stressed, was above politics.

“Since I became governor, I don’t belong to any political party. The President’s post is above party politics. I am thankful to everybody for their support. I will do my best to maintain the dignity of the high office of the President,” he said.

With the BJP in a position to instal its candidate in the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the first time, Kovind confidently took names of several former Presidents to praise the great traditions of the constitutional office. 

Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal and TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu seconded Kovind’s candidature.

With the NDA pulling off 48.6% of the votes in the electoral college and regional parties, including AIADMK, BJD, JD(U), TRS and YSR Congress, giving their nod, Kovind looks set for a victory.

According to the BJP’s internal projection, the NDA nominee may get at least 61% of the total votes.

The lawyer-turned-politician underlined his agenda for the country’s “all-round development, fulfilment of the aspirations of the youth  and encouragement to modern education”.

Echoing Modi’s mission, the former Rajya Sabha MP remarked, “I will strive to see that the dream to build a new India, which is developing continuously, is fulfilled.”
On the prevailing security scenario, Kovind said, “It is our responsibility to keep our borders secure”.

The President is also the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Veterans’ message

BJP veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were also present, sending the message that they were with Modi and Shah on the decision to nominate Kovind.
Except for Goa’s Manohar Parrikar and Jammu and Kashmir’s Mehbooba Mufti, the chief ministers of several BJP-ruled states and its allies were present.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K Palaniswami also participated.