INLD extends support to NDA presidential candidate Kovind

Haryana's main opposition party Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Thursday announced it will support the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the President's post, Ram Nath Kovind, in the forthcoming presidential election.

Leader of Opposition in Haryana and INLD Secretary General Abhay Singh Chautala said that the party had decided to support Kovind after weighing the credentials of the candidates.

The INLD announcement came on a day when Kovind was visiting Chandigarh to meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Haryana and Punjab. He also met NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal leaders and legislators here.

Kovind, accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, met INLD leaders and legislators to seek their support for the forthcoming election of the President.

The INLD has 19 legislators in the 90-member Haryana assembly. The ruling BJP has 47 legislators.

Addressing the INLD leaders, Kovind paid tributes to former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal and assured the INLD that he would remain above party politics after being elected to the office of President.

"I have remained above party politics ever since I assumed the office of Governor (of Bihar) two years ago. The highest and most satisfying tribute I have ever received was when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told me, on being chosen as the presidential candidate, the dignified manner in which I had conducted myself in the Governor's office was unparalleled in Bihar's history," Kovind said.

Nitish Kumar's party, Janata Dal (United), has pledged support to Kovind, breaking away from the opposition ranks.

--IANS

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