Former Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in today as the 14th President of India. Mr. Kovind, 71, who is a Dalit, is a farmer’s son and his humble origins and simple lifestyle were stressed by BJP leaders. As an experienced lawyer, his “knowledge and understanding of the Constitution will benefit the nation,” Mr. Modi had emphasized.
Ram Nath Kovind was named Governor of Bihar by the center three years ago. He is a former leader of the BJP’s unit that represents the Dalits and served two terms as a member of the Rajya Sabha. He is a trained lawyer who has practiced in the High Court and Supreme Court.
He worked as a top aide to former Prime Minister Morarji Desai and has represented India at the United Nations in New York. By selecting Mr. Kovind as their presidential nominee, the BJP-led NDA moved to consolidate its support among lower castes and poorer voters.
To win over the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally spoken to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and his predecessor, Dr. Manmohan Singh, he also spoke to the Chief Ministers of Bihar, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. All allies of the BJP were also informed of the decision. Mr. Kovind, the government-backed candidate, won nearly 66 per cent of the votes cast by an electoral college of MPs and state lawmakers on July 17. “I realize it is a great responsibility,” the 71-year-old had said at his home in Delhi.
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