<p> 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.<br /><br />Kovind said he will work hard to maintain the dignity of the top constitutional office, which, he stressed, was above politics. <br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />According to the BJP’s internal projection, the NDA nominee may get at least 61% of the total votes.<br /><br />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”. <br /><br />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.”<br />On the prevailing security scenario, Kovind said, “It is our responsibility to keep our borders secure”. <br /><br />The President is also the supreme commander of the armed forces.<br /><br />Veterans’ message <br /><br />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. <br />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. <br /><br />Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K Palaniswami also participated.</p>
<p> 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.<br /><br />Kovind said he will work hard to maintain the dignity of the top constitutional office, which, he stressed, was above politics. <br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />According to the BJP’s internal projection, the NDA nominee may get at least 61% of the total votes.<br /><br />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”. <br /><br />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.”<br />On the prevailing security scenario, Kovind said, “It is our responsibility to keep our borders secure”. <br /><br />The President is also the supreme commander of the armed forces.<br /><br />Veterans’ message <br /><br />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. <br />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. <br /><br />Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K Palaniswami also participated.</p>
