No state & language would be neglected if I become President: Ram Nath Kovind

BHUBANESHWAR: National Democratic Alliance presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday and promised no state and language would be neglected if he became President. Kovind’s visit to Odisha will be followed by that of Congress’ candidate Meira Kumar’s who arrives on Saturday.

Kovind, former Bihar Governor and the surprise candidate who had made it to few, has already been promised the Biju Janta Dal’s support. On Friday after his arrival to Bhubaneshwar Kovind addressed BJD legislators and parliamentarians in the state assembly.

Introducing Kovind to his colleagues Patnaik said, “His journey from humble beginnings in a village in North India to being a candidate for the highest office in the country is a true reflection of the transition that modern India has undergone. He is symbolic of the new aspiring Indian. His path reflect the strength of our Constitution which guarantees every Indian the right to dream big, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.” Odisha’s journey and the BJD’s core values were similar, Patnaik had added

Kovind meanwhile told BJD’s elected members, he was happy to be here and to have the full-fledged support of BJD. "I will try to ensure that no state or language is neglected,” he is reported to have said.

Accompanied by union health minister JP Nadda, Kovind then had lunch at Patnaik’s residence. The BJD has 117 MLAs in Odisha’s 147 member assembly, 20 Lok Sabha and eight Rajya Sabha MPs. Patnaik dismissed any possibility of any of his legislators cross voting on the 17th of July.

In the afternoon, the NDA’s presidential candidate met with the BJP leaders of the state. The BJP has far fewer numbers in Odisha -- 10 MLAs and one MP, union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram who had been there to receive Kovind at the airport on Friday.