BJP unilaterally decided Ram Nath Kovind as Presidential pick: Congress

19 June, New Delhi

The Congress has said decision by the BJP to choose Ram Nath Kovind as NDA nominee for Presidential elections has been taken unilaterally.

Talking to media in New Delhi Monday evening, senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that name of Kovind was not discussed with Congress party. He said, his party had expected that BJP will discuss main names which the party may announce for the presidential candidate but it did not discuss.

Azad, however, said, Congress has nothing to comment on the decision made by the BJP. Azad said Congress has invited opposition leaders on 22nd of this month to discuss future strategy after BJP announced name of presidential nominee.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) has indicated that it is opposed to the NDA nominee, Ram Nath Kovind for presidential polls. Party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, Kovind has been associated with RSS’s dalit wing. He said, it is directly a political battle and only once in the history of Independent India, the President was elected uncontested.

On the other hand, LJP Chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said everyone should support the candidature of Kovind. He said whoever opposes the decision will be believed to be anti dalit.