Nitish backs Kovind ahead of Opposition meeting

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to support NDA Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind has put the Congress and Left parties in a tight spot ahead of the Opposition meeting on Thursday where a joint non-NDA candidate will be named.

Though this has not come as a surprise to the parties, some leaders felt that the move would take the charm out of the fight against BJP after making noises about Opposition unity. Incidentally, JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was one of the first leaders to moot the idea of a joint Opposition candidate for the Presidential



polls. 

JD(U) sources said nothing much should be read into the support for Kovind as they still remain part of the Opposition. They also pointed out to their 2012 decision when they voted for UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee when they were still with the NDA which had fielded P A Sangma.

The Opposition parties would meet on Thursday to choose a name but JD(U) decision may give a handle for Uttar Pradesh-based parties Samajwadi Party and BSP to break ranks with the Opposition. Already, these two parties have expressed their reservations in opposing a person from their state.