JD(U) in Kerala not to back Kovind in presidential poll

The Kerala unit of Janata Dal(U) will not back NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, the party's state president and Rajya Sabha member M P Veerendra Kumar said today.
Announcing this at a press meet here, Kumar said he had held discussions with JD(U) national leader and Bihar Chief MinisterNitish Kumar in this regard.
"I told Nitish Kumar it would be difficult to support the BJP-led NDA nominee for the next president of India. He has given his approval to vote for the candidate desirable to him and the state unit", he added.
Asked if he would vote for the candidate fielded by the opposition in case of a contest, he replied "first let us know who is the (opposition) candidate."

JD(U), a partner in the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front, has no representation in the Kerala assembly.