Kovind’s name chosen with an eye on Dalit votes, says Uddhav Thackeray

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena, the second biggest constituent of the National Democratic Alliance, has slammed the BJP for its choice of Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as the presidential nominee of the ruling coalition.

“The name (of Kovind) has been chosen with an eye on Dalit votes,” Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said on Monday, even as he added: “We have no issue if you make anyone President; let him work for everybody and the Sena would support it.” He said would call a meeting of party leaders and then decide on Shiv Sena’s strategy for the presidential election.

Thackeray also took on BJP chief Amit Shah and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for their statements on the BJP’s readiness for midterm polls in Maharashtra.


“Don’t think that you (BJP) can always win. The atmosphere is changing, farmers are angry and are coming on to the roads. If someone feels overconfident that they will come back to power then they should go for a midterm poll, this time we will win and stamp our saffron flag on their chests,” he said.