BJP nominee may end up polling more votes than Pranab, Pratibha

NEWDELHI: After securing majority for its nominee Ram Nath Kovind, the NDA managers are in a zest to increase the winning margin in the upcoming Presidential election.

Union minister Venkaiah Naidu spoke to former PM and JDS leader Shri Deve Gowda, DMK leader Shri MK Stalin, PMK leader Shri Anbumani Ramdoss, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala for support for Kovind.

Sources close to Naidu said INLD has “responded positively” while Stalin, a key leader of the Opposition camp, said that the issue will be discussed among the parties. PDP, an ally of the BJP, has officially confirmed its support to Kovind. The BJP has also requested BJD chief Naveen Patnaik to be present for the filing of nomination.

As the BJP managers are dialling even the Opposition leaders, Kovind may end up getting more votes than President Pranab Mukherjee and his predecessor, Pratibha Patil.

Kovind has almost secured 6,09,433 votes, with parties like the Biju Janata Dal, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the YSR Congress throwing their weight behind him. The AIADMK, the fourth-largest party with 59,000 votes, is also expected to back Kovind. The BJP hopes to split the Opposition camp and rope in more undecided parties for the cause.

Though the Bahujan Samaj Party is yet to officially announce its support for the Dalit candidate, party chief Mayawati has reacted “positively” to his nomination.

While Mukherjee secured 7,13,763 votes in the 2012 election, Patil got 6,38,116 in 2007.