Welcoming the ruling NDA’s decision to announce Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as its Presidential candidate, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to Opposition parties to rise above party politics and support a Dalit from Uttar Pradesh for the coveted post.
“It is a honour for the 22 crore people of UP and particularly Dalits of the country as the BJP has named Kovind as its Presidential candidate. It is the right time for Opposition parties in the State to support a Dalit leader irrespective of party lines,” Yogi said at a hurriedly called press conference in lucknow on Monday.
Adityanath said that the candidature of Kovind will throw a new ‘social dimension’ in the country as it was a proud moment for Dalits.
“Currently, Kovind is the best choice for the top post. It would be nice if we have a President by consensus. Besides it is a honour for UP that a President is slated to be elected from the State that too from Dalit community. For this we must thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and national BJP chief Amit Shah,” Yogi said.
When asked whether the BJP and the NDA leadership had taken his view before the announcement, the Chief Minister said that the party had discussed with him before an official announcement was made.
If elected President, Kovind will be the second President of India having links with Uttar Pradesh. The third President of India, Zakir Hussain, although born in Hyderabad, studied in Islamia High School of Etawah before graduating from Aligarh Muslim University.