Presidential election 2017: Ram Nath Kovind files nomination papers.
Ram Nath Kovind, who has been chosen by the BJP for the post of President, filed his nomination papers in Parliament House in Delhi today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied the 71-year-old Mr Kovind along with many Chief Ministers, who have arrived in the national capital to support him. The opposition, in a meeting of 17 parties, yesterday decided to pitch Congress' Meira Kumar against Mr Kovind, forcing an election to choose the next President of India. The president is elected by members of an Electoral College made up of members of Parliament and state legislatures. Votes in the presidential elections will be counted on July 20, three days after voting. President Pranab Mukherjee's term ends on July 24.
Here are the live updates for Presidential Election nomination:
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Important Dates For Presidential Election
Who Is Ram Nath Kovind?Ram Nath Kovind, former Bihar Governor, is a Dalit, same as his contender Meira Kumar, who has been chosen by the opposition for the nation's top post. Mr Kovind is a former leader of the BJP's unit that represents Dalit and served two terms as a member of the Rajya Sabha. He is a trained lawyer who has appeared at the High Court and Supreme Court.
NDA's Show Of Strength
The President of India is above politics: Ram Nath Kovind
- In our country the Constitution of India is supreme. We have to uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution.
- Ever since I took over as Governor, I have no political affiliation.
- I have filed my nomination for the President of India. I thank all parties that are supporting me.
- Will always uphold the dignity of the office of President of India, a post on which several distinguishing people have served.
Ram Nath Kovind files nomination papers for presidential polls
The Presidential Election In IndiaPranab Mukherjee's Presidential term ends on July 24, five years after he assumed office. The election for the next President of India is scheduled to take place on July 17.
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Chief Ministers of 7 states in Delhi to support Ram Nath Kovind
Chief Ministers of UP, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have already arrived in Parliament library. Once PM Modi arrives, all the leaders will together go to the Lok Sabha Secretary General Anoop Mishra's office to complete the nomination formalities.
JUST IN: Ram Nath Kovind arrives at the Parliament House to file his nomination. BJP chief Amit Shah and Venkaiah Naidu seen with him.
The opposition yesterday fielded Meira Kumar of Congress as their candidate for President after a meeting of 17 parties headed by the Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
The opposition was weakened after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had pitched the idea of a united opposition candidate as a test run for a Maha-Gathbandhan or Grand Alliance for the general election in 2019, opted out of by announcing that he will support the BJP's choice for President, Ram Nath Kovind.
NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind has left from North Block Avenue
