A call at 1, Anne Marg at 2.33 pm on Monday from the PMO was unexpected. PM Narendra Modi was on the line to inform Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the NDA’s decision to field Ram Nath Kovind as Presidential candidate. It was just contrary to what had happened in August 2015 when Nitish was kept absolutely in the dark about Kovind’s appointment as Bihar Governor. That was Bihar Assembly election time and Modi wanted to take some political advantage by announcing that a Dalit has been made Bihar Governor.
After meeting Governor Kovind, Nitish said, “I am very happy that the Governor of our State has been made Presidential candidate. We enjoyed very good working relationship which we will always remember. It was my duty as the CM to meet him before his departure for Delhi.”
Asked if he would support Kovind, the CM said, “It is not the right time to reply (to such queries). I had talks with lalu ji and Soniaji had also phoned me. I told them about my feelings.”
Nitish had not attended a meeting called by Sonia a fortnight ago on discussions on Presidential nominee and had instead sent Sharad Yadav.
The expression of happiness writ large on his face and through his body language, Nitish made it almost clear that his party has nothing against Kovind. The CM is also believed to have assured his support to the PM during the telephonic talk on Monday. It is interesting to recall that Nitish had supported candidature of Pranab Mukherjee of the UPA even though the Bihar CM at that time was in NDA and refused to support BJP backed candidate PA Sangma.
The selection of Kovind is unlikely to be opposed by Nitish Kumar led JD(U). There are speculations that RJD supremo lalu Prasad might also support him. The RJD sources said a final decision would be taken at the UPA meeting on June 22. During his brief tenure in Raj Bhavan, Kovind has no history of any tussle or confrontation with the present Government and has maintained very cordial relations with both Nitish and lalu even as some local BJP leaders did not like his closeness to them.
After announcement of his name and before leaving for Delhi, Kovind invited Nitish to Raj Bhavan. The CM visited him with bouquets and congratulated him for selection for the top constitutional post. A soft spoken and suave Kovind had been active despite the limitations. He took keen interest on the development of higher education. He also took interest in the legislative business and held meetings with the legislators of different parties on a daily basis during the Assembly session in the presence of Assembly Speaker, CM and leader of Opposition. Unlike his predecessor Devanand Konwar, who had confrontation with the State Government on various issues and held many Bills, Kovind had very cordial relations with the Government.