The National Democratic Alliance's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind visited the State Capital in the run-up to the July 17 face-off with Opposition candidate Meira Kumar.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan received him at the State hangar.
Subsequently, Chouhan addressed Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and workers during a function to welcome Kovind. "Ever associated with the grass roots, Kovind is not only a political but also a social worker. The former Rajya Sabha member always fought for bringing about awareness in the exploited segment," Chouhan added.
The programme for the party workers and leaders to welcome Kovind was organized at the State hangar, Bhopal airport, where he was felicitated and party workers expressed happiness for his presence in Bhopal.
Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan heaped praise on Kovind, describing him as the "most able candidate" for the job. "Kovind's humble journey began from a village in Kanpur. He had also cleared the coveted Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination for the civil services, although he did not join," Chouhan said.
"later, he started practising in the Delhi High Court as a lawyer and was chosen to serve as the secretary to former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. After that, he became a Rajya Sabha member for two terms and later was appointed the Governor of Bihar," Chouhan added. The CM recalled that Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot and he himself were present at the BJP's Parliamentary Board meeting where Kovind was unanimously selected as the candidate for the highest constitutional office.
"later, when party president Amit Shah informed other NDA partners about it, they all open-heartedly supported the decision," Chouhan said.
From the airport, he left for Chief Minister's residence and on the way party workers greeted Kovind by erecting welcome gates at several places.
On reaching the Chief Minister's residence, Kovind was felicitated by the Chief Minister and State BJP president and parliamentarian Nandkumar Singh Chouhan. At this programme, the party legislators and parliamentarians pledged to support Kovind in the Presidential election.
From the Chief Minister's residence, Kovind reached Nishatpura railway coach factory colony to meet his relative and gynaecologist Dr Priyeka Prasad and remained there for around 15 minutes.
Thereafter, he visited Union Minister Sushma Swaraj at her residence, where Geeta, recently brought from Pakistan, was also present. He also met the women party workers present there. He left for New Delhi at 5.30 pm.