A ruling ally of the BJP in Goa and an Independent MLA have welcomed the nomination of Dalit leader and former lawyer Ram Nath Kovind as the NDA's presidential candidate.
"Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji. A farmer's son, Dalit leader & successful lawyer, he is certain to be an exemplary President," tweeted Vijai Sardesai, Goa's Agriculture Minister.
Sardesai represents the Goa Forward Party (GFP), which is part of the BJP-led ruling coalition.
Three Independent MLAs are also supporting the Manohar Parrikar government.
Independent legislator and Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, too, pledged his support to Kovind in the next month's election for the top constitutional post.
Khaunte tweeted "The son of a farmer worked hard to become a successful lawyer & now Shri #RamNathKovind has been nominated to become President of India.
"As a strong voice of the poor and marginalized, I am certain that he will be an exemplary President of the people," he further tweeted.
The MGP, another BJP ally in the coastal state, has not yet spelt out its stand on Kovind. The regional outfit has three MLAs.
When contacted, MGP president Dipak Dhavlikar said nobody has approached them so far seeking their support for the NDA's presidential choice.
"We have yet to decide our stand on backing Kovind. Nobody has approached us so far seeking our support in the presidential polls," he told PTI.
The current strength of the 40-member Goa House is 38 - the BJP 12, the Congress 16, the MGP 3, the GFP 3, Independents 3 and the NCP 1.
Springing a surprise, the BJP yesterday announced the candidature of Kovind, 71, for the top constitutional post.
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