After the Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary board nominated Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind as its nominee for next month's presidential elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Janata Dal (United) said that the BJP should have facts before announcing the latter's name.
Speaking to ANI, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha said, "Even though we know the person, we still need to check factors like background, proficiency and his diligence for the post. India is already going through a rough phase, be it Darjeeling, Mandsaur or Kashmir; to hold these issues together, we need a person whom we can trust. So that's why on June 22, we are having a meeting on this and hope that we decide on something good for the country."
Janata Dal United (JDU) leader Rajeev Ranjan told ANI, "The name has been decided. If they feel Kovind is best suited for the post, then we can't say anything on it. The party will discuss the decision and decide on its support soon."
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi backed Kovind's name for presidential nominee, saying he was a person from an illustrious background in the legal arena and had a great understanding of the Constitution that would benefit the nation.
Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and, in a series of tweets, said, "Shri Ram Nath Kovind, a farmer's son, comes from a humble background. He devoted his life to public service & worked for poor and marginalised. With his illustrious background in the legal arena, Shri Kovind's knowledge and understanding of the Constitution will benefit the nation. I am sure Shri Ram Nath Kovind will make an exceptional President & continue to be a strong voice for the poor, downtrodden and marginalised."
The BJP announced Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind as its candidate for the upcoming Presidential polls.
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The announcement was made in a press briefing by BJP national president Amit Shah.
Shah further said that the saffron party hoped that the Dalit nominee, Kovind, would remain unchallenged as the choice and would be unanimously selected as the President of India.
Shah also informed that the BJP leaders have talked to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who told them that they would hold discussions over the Presidential nominee and proceed further.
The parliamentary board of the BJP met here today to discuss the upcoming presidential election.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari and M. Venkaiah Naidu and other senior party leaders deliberated on the names for the top constitutional post.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Naidu had earlier met Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders D. Raja and Sudhakar Reddy at the latter's party office over presidential elections.
The election for the next President of India is to be held on July 17 as President Pranab Mukherjee will demit the office on July 25.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued the notification in this regard and the process of the nomination has started that will continue till June 28.