#RamnathKovind: Not Mohan Bhagwat, Modi and Shah pick RSS member for NDA presidential candidate

Kovind has been a lifelong member of the RSS.

WrittenBy:NL Team
Date:
Article image
  • Share this article on whatsapp

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has surprised everyone by declaring Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as its presidential candidate.

subscription-appeal-image

Support Independent Media

The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.

Contribute

BJP chief Amit Shah made the announcement after the party’s parliamentary board meeting on Monday. “Dalit samaaj se sangharsh kar kar apne rajneetik career mein itne unche makaam  tak pahunche hain (Being a Dalit, he has struggled and achieved such landmarks in his political career),” he said.

While this is being seen an unusual choice, it is indeed a masterstroke by the saffron party. Both the Central government and states governed by the BJP have, of late, come under attack for reports on atrocities against Dalits — notable among these states were Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, Kovind, if elected, will not be the first Dalit to become the President of India. KR Narayanan, 1997-2002, was the first Dalit to hold the office.

Importantly, Kovind, a 71-year-old leader from Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur Dehat, is a non-controversial BJP leader and has maintained a low profile. He was appointed as the Governor of Bihar in August 2015. A lawyer, Kovind has been a practitioner in the High Court and the Supreme Court of India and has served as a two-time Rajya Sabha MP. Kovind was appointed as the national spokesperson of BJP in 2011-12, and was later in charge of the Bihar BJP during the 2015 Bihar Assembly election.

Shah told the media that Kovind has been a senior BJP leader and had held different important posts – including president of the Anusuchit Morcha (the Scheduled Caste wing) of the party.

Shah said, “Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] has spoken to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.” The BJP is in touch with both National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties and Opposition parties over Kovind’s candidature, said the BJP chief Shah.

Kovind is believed to be a close aide of Shah and has been a lifelong member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

BJP mouthpiece, Kamal Sandesh‘s executive editor, Shiv Shakti Bakshi told Newslaundry, “BJP RSS se bahar kaun hai? Bhajpa mein jitney bhi hain, sab RSS se sambadh hain… sangathan mein adhiktaar sab to RSS se hain hi (who is not from the RSS in the BJP? BJP members are associated with RSS…Most of those in the organisation are associated with the RSS).” He further added that Kovind’s candidature has sent a positive message to party workers –“if one works tirelessly for the party, then they will be appropriately honoured by the leadership,” he said.

It is believed that the BJP had attempted to project Kovind as the party’s Dalit face during the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly election. Kovind campaigned in Dalit areas to counter Mayawati’s popularity.

Kovind, even as the national spokesperson, had always tried to remain away from controversies as well as the TV cameras.

It is important to note that despite the delay, the BJP had failed to build a consensus within the NDA. “After the announcement, Amit Shahji called and informed that this name has been decided,” Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told the media. The party has kept its cards close as Raut said that Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray might respond to the question related to the party’s support to Kovind at a meeting this evening.

“I am personally very happy that Ramnathji has been declared as presidential candidate,” Bihar CM Nitish Kumar told the media after meeting the Bihar governor. He further added that Kovind has always worked under the constitutional frame work. However, as far as supporting Kovind’s candidature is concerned, Kumar kept his cards close to his chest. The Janata Dal (United) chief said he is in touch with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Congress party president, Gandhi – over the issue.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and his party Telangana Rashtra Samithi supported Kovind’s candidature.

Tamil Nadu’s governing party, the AIADMK, too has extended its support to the NDA candidate.

subscription-appeal-image

Power NL-TNM Election Fund

General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.

Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?

Support now

You may also like