Here is how Ram Nath Kovind emerged as NDA’s presidential choice

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah kept their cards close to their chest while choosing candidate for the presidential elections, ensuring that a broad consensus emerged on their choice.

With RSS setting the broad contours — that the candidate should be a Dalit, or a Tribal, must have a saffron hue, should be a senior well-read politician and non-controversial — the party brass went about seeking the views of the Opposition.

In Kovind, Modi and Shah have found a man who fits the bill. The choice of a Dalit leader makes it difficult for the Opposition unless it also pits a Dalit against Kovind. Few parties would want to be seen opposing a Dalit candidate for the post of President of India. This will breach Opposition unity to a great extent though Congress, Left parties, TMC and RJD, among a few others, will not let him the unanimous choice.


During the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, Shah said the names of several senior BJP leaders, including Union ministers, governors and eminent persons, were doing the rounds as probables. He specifically named Union minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, TC Gehlot, M Venkaiah Naidu, Jharkhand governor Draupadi Murmu, party veterans Murli Manohar Joshi and LK Advani, party sources said.

Shah said NDA partner Sena had on its own demanded that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat be the candidate though it was well-known that Sangh leaders do not contest polls. He also mentioned agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan, who was Sena’s second choice.

Insiders said the PM announced in the meeting that his Cabinet ministers were too important for him to let go of them and hence they could not be spared to become President.

After Shah announced Ram Nath Kovind as the candidate, the board endorsed his name. Both Modi and Shah felt political parties should be informed about the decision and should “not come to know about the candidate through the media”.

Modi called up UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh and sought their support. He also dialed BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, who said he will revert back after talking to his party. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed happiness that the governor of his state has been chosen. Finance minister Arun Jaitley also spoke to Kumar.

Modi also spoke to SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal, Telangana CM K Chandrasekar Rao, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami. However, it was Shah who called up Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Venkaiah Naidu informed BJP veterans Advani and Joshi about the decision. He also called up SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati.

Yadav extended his support but suggested Naidu also talk to Ram Gopal Yadav and Naresh Agarwal.

Mayawati was inquisitive about the choice but appeared positive. Naidu also spoke to NCP chief Sharad Pawar, sources said.