AMN
The ruling Biju Janata Dal in Odisha will support the nomination of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind.
BJD president and State chief minister Naveen Patnaik last evening informed media about his party’s support to the NDA nominee, hours after Patnaik had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue.
In a statement, Mr Patnaik said Prime Minister spoke to him about the candidature of Ramnath Kovind as Presidential nominee and sought the support of the BJD in this regard.
In this backdrop and the fact that Ramnath Kovind is an eminent lawyer belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, after discussing with the senior party leaders, BJD had decided to support the candidature of Shri Ramnath Kovind, he said.
Naveen also said the Office of the President of India is above political considerations and Biju Janata Dal wants to keep it above politics.
On the other hand, BJP welcomed BJD’s decision to support its nominee.
BJP spokesperson Prithviraj Harichandan said his party welcomes BJD’s decision to support Ramnath Kovind as Presidential candidate.