Ram Nath Kovind is a two-time Rajya Sabha member from state of Uttar Pradesh
Ram Nath Kovind, the governor of Bihar, is the
NDA's candidate for the 13th President of India. His name was announced by BJP chief Amit Shah today after a meeting of the parliamentary party - the BJP's highest decision-making body. Mr Kovind will file nomination for President's position on June 23, Mr Shah said. If elected, he will be the second Dalit President after KR Narayanan to hold the nation's highest office. As soon as BJP chief Amit Shah announced the NDA nominee's name, #RamnathKovind started trending on Twitter.
Here's all that we know about Ram Nath Kovind:
1. Born on October 1, 1945, in Kanpur Dehat, Ram Nath Kovind is a commerce graduate. He pursued law from Kanpur University. He practiced in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court for more than 15 years.
2. The septuagenarian became the 36th Governor of Bihar in August 2015. His appointment had surprised many state leaders and
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had voiced his displeasure over not being consulted.
3. Ram Nath Kovind is the former president of BJP Dalit Morcha. He has also served as the BJP national spokesperson of the party.
4. He was also a two-time Rajya Sabha member from state of Uttar Pradesh between 1994-2000 and 2000-06.
5. Mr Kovind is married to Savita Kovind and has a son and a daughter.
6. He has also been a member of several Parliamentary Committees, including the committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Law and Justice.
7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later tweeted: