Presidential elections 2017: NDA to pick its VP candidate today

Voting for the presidential election is on Monday, and for vice-presidential election is August 5

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary board is slated to meet on Monday to pick the vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Today, Opposition presidential candidate Meira Kumar and vice-presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi met members of political parties supporting their respective candidatures.

Addressing the members, both Kumar and Gopalkrishna Gandhi stressed that while electoral college numbers are stacked against the Opposition but the battle was ideological and has brought together political parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the Constitution and the law of the land were “sadly under siege today”. “In these contests, the numbers may be against us. But the battle must be fought and fought hard. We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision,” she said.

The voting for the presidential elections 2017 is on Monday, while that for vice-presidential election is on August 5.

The counting of votes for the presidential election is on July 20, and the new president will take the oath of office on July 25.

The BJP-led NDA was to announce its candidate on Sunday, but this has been postponed to Monday. Sources claim Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu are two of the aspirants. However, some consider Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao as the frontrunner.

But just as the name of NDA’s candidate Ram Nath Kovind was a surprise to many, including people in the NDA, so could be that of its vice-presidential candidate.

July 18 is the last day for filing of nominations for the vice-presidential election. Opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi is likely to file his nomination papers on Monday.

The Opposition presidential candidate is being supported by 17 political parties, minus the Janata Dal (United). However, the JD (U) is supporting the Opposition’s vice-presidential candidate.

The NDA’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates are expected to win the polls comfortably.

Time not ripe for Prez poll but will support Opposition's Meira Kumar: AAP

BJP's Ram Nath Kovind to contest the election that is scheduled to take place on July 17

The AAP on Wednesday announced that it would support Meira Kumar, the opposition nominee for the presidential poll after the latter "appealed" to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to back her candidature.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the decision to support Kumar was taken by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the party's apex decision-making body, to "strengthen democracy".

"AAP will support joint opposition's presidential candidate Meira Kumar " senior party leader Ashutosh posted on Twitter.

On supporting Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the opposition's candidate for the vice presidential poll, Ashutosh said the PAC will discuss the issue later.

"We believe that a time should not have come for voting for a crucial post like the president. All political parties should have come together and put up a consensus candidate.

"Nevertheless, an election is taking place to choose the president. In such a scenario, the Aam Aadmi Party supports the joint opposition candidate," Singh said.

"Kumar had called up AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal seeking support," Singh added.

The presidential election is taking place on July 17. Ram Nath Kovind has been fielded by the ruling BJP and its allies.

Some opposition parties, including the JD(U), Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the YSR Congress and the Biju Janta Dal, have extended support to Kovind's candidature.

The Congress did not invite the AAP when it had held discussions with other opposition parties on the matter.

An AAP leader, who did not want to be named, said the party was "fine" with keeping a distance from the Congress.

The AAP is the principal opposition party in Punjab.

The four-year-old party has 85 MLAs and four MPs, which translates into around 9,000 votes in the electoral college for the presidential election.

For the first time presidential election is being contested on ideology: Meira Kumar

After the Bihar elections, the issue of tolerance is coming up in Presidential elections as well. UPA presidential candidate, Meira Kumar raised the issue in Jaipur on Tuesday and said that since the past some time it seems that we are being governed by people whose ideology does not have tolerance.

On reaching Jaipur for the election campaign on Tuesday, Meira Kumar in an interaction with the media at the state Congress headquarters said that the Presidential electionheld so far in the country have happened between two people, but for the first time elections are being held between two ideologies.

On the question of voting equation being in favour of NDA candidate, Meira said that for the first time 17 parties have decided to contest the election together on an ideology. This is a wonderful event that can make its place in history. “I have written to the MLAs and MPs of all the parties and urged them to vote according to their conscience,” she said.

On the issue of accepting support from Lalu Yadav despite allegations on him, Meira Kumar said, “W are not seeking support from individuals. We are seeking support on the basis of ideology.” On meeting Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar again and asking for support she said, “I have written to all the members of electoral college asking for support, now those who support will have to think.”

Regarding making the Presidential elections a Dalit versus Dalit issue, Meira said that it is sad that we are talking of caste even in the 21st Century.

Meanwhile MLA of Deeg Kummher, Vishvendra Singh, Bagidaura MLA Mahendrajit Singh Malviya and Bari MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga did not attend the meeting. Independent MLA Fatehpur, Nand Kishore Mahiriya too was not present.

Presidential election ideology-based, not person-centric: Meira Kumar on seeking Lalu's support after CBI raids

RJD is one of the 17 Opposition parties fighting presidential election on a common ideology. The contest is not person-centric, said Meira Kumar when asked whether she would seek Lalu's support after CBI raids.

Opposition's presidential election nominee Meira Kumar, who is in Jaipur to seek support for her candidature, said on Tuesday that her fight was against an ideology and not an individual.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker made it clear that the recent CBI raids and corruption allegations against RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav will not alter her arithmetic in the run-up to the Presidential election.

In response to a question over speculations that she may not seek Lalu Prasad Yadav's support after recent corruption allegations and the CBI raids, Meira Kumar said, "See, 17 Opposition parties have committed to fight this election together based on ideology. RJD is also a major partner in it and I am making this election ideology-based. I will not make it person-centric".

NUMBERS CAN SWING IN MY FAVOUR: KUMAR

It is being believed that NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind has an upper hand in terms of numbers for the Presidential election. However, Meira Kumar is of the view that numbers can swing from one side to another when people listen to their inner conscience.

"I respect my esteemed opponent. I do not want to comment against him. This is the election for the highest position of India. I would not want to see its honour or sanctity affected. Secondly, when it comes to figures, I feel when we hear the voice of our inner conscience, numbers swing from here to there. I know how to raise the voice of the inner conscience. There is no doubt about it. VV Giri's election was of that kind", Kumar said.

Presidential Election 2017: National ideologies in danger, says Meira Kumar

Claimed that polls may stop danger that is lurking against country's 'principles and the ideologies'

The contest for the country’s highest office is a battle between two ideologies, the Opposition’s presidential nominee Meira Kumar said on Sunday claiming that the “principles and ideologies” on which the country was based were facing danger.

Kumar, who met leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana, to seek support, said in Srinagar that the Opposition wanted to make the presidential poll an election of principles.

“These are the principles which are close to my heart and to the hearts of most of the people of this country. India is united because we believe in these principles. There are so many religions in the country, so many cultures, ideologies and languages, but despite that, the country is united only because of these principles,” she said.

Kumar claimed that the Presidential Election 2017 was an opportunity to stop a danger that is lurking against the “principles and the ideologies” on which the country was based.

“Since some time now, a danger is lurking on these principles and ideologies and if that is not stopped immediately, then it is possible that the coming days will be lost in the dark,” she claimed.

Kumar said that she had written letters to all the members of the collegium – the MPs and the MLAs – irrespective of their parties asking them to listen to the voice of their conscience and support her.

Presidential polls: PM Modi likely to address NDA MPs; Kovind may attend

The meeting is likely to take place on July 16, a day ahead of voting in the presidential election

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address a meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs on July 16, a day ahead of voting in the presidential poll .

NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind may attend the meeting, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources said on Saturday.

Kovind has been on a tour of the states meeting MPs and MLAs who are supporting his presidential bid, and may decide to interact with the NDA MPs a day before the voting for the top constitutional post, they said.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament starts from July 17, the day of the election. Proceedings in both the Houses will be adjourned for a day due to death of sitting members.

The BJP Parliamentary Party executive will also meet on July 16 and it will be followed by a meeting of NDA leaders.

The sources said an all-party meeting may also be held on the same day.

Ram Nath Kovind , who was in Madhya Pradesh today, will travel to Chhattisgarh tomorrow and be accompanied by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP general secretary Arun Singh during his meetings with supporting MPs and MLAs.

He will be in Gujarat on July 11, when BJP chief Amit Shah will also be there. He will be accompanied by BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav, the sources said.

He will be in Jharkhand on July 12 and in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan on July 13.

BJP sources said they are confident that Kovind will get over two-thirds votes in his contest against the opposition candidate Meira Kumar.

Presidential poll : EC says parties directing how to vote will face action

A candidate needs 50% plus votes to win the poll

Political parties which issue directions to their members to vote in a particular manner in presidential elections can face penal action, the Election Commission said on Thursday.

It, however, said parties are free to canvas or seek votes of the electors for any candidate or request them or appeal to them to refrain from voting.

Since there is no whip and the vote in the presidential poll is through a secret ballot, voters are free to decide on whether they want to cast their vote or not.

The set of clarifications from the Commission came after it was approached by some voters who wanted to know whether a member of a political party voting in defiance of the party's decision would attract disqualification on the ground of defection or the party would be liable to any penalty for asking their members to vote in a particular manner.

The EC said parties which issue whip or give directions can face action under section 171C of the IPC dealing with "voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right".

The total strength of the electoral college which votes to elect the President comprises all elected MPs and members of legislative assemblies of all states and UTs of Delhi and Puducherry.

The total comes to 10,98,903 votes with each MP carrying a vote value of 708. The vote weight of an MLA depends on the population of the state he or she represents.

A candidate needs 50 per cent plus votes to win the poll. Halfway mark comes at 5,49,452.

Presidential Election 2017 : After Meira Kumar, Kovind to campaign in Meghalaya on Friday

NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind will arrive here in this Congress-ruled state of Meghalaya on Friday to seek support for his candidature.

His visit to Meghalaya is significant in the wake of his rival candidate Meira Kumarclaiming that the United Democratic Party (UDP), a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance, has pledged to support her in the presidential elections.

But UDP chief Donkupar Roy, who is also Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, denied pledging support to the opposition-backed Congress candidate and said that "it is better to go by the winner".

Kovind, former Governor of Bihar who was nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party as the ruling alliance's presidential nominee, would address Meghalaya legislators at the Orchid Lake Resort in Umiam in Ri-Bhoi district.

The opposition National People's Party, which has two members in the 60-member house, had announced its support to Ram Nath Kovind. The party is an ally of the BJP-led NDA government.

"We will also attend Kovind's meeting tomorrow. The legislature party of UDP will be meeting soon and decide accordingly," Roy told IANS.

The UDP has eight legislators in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly.

Hill State People's Democratic Party supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that his party would be meeting soon to take a decision. The party has four legislators.

The ruling Meghalaya United Alliance has 44 members -- 30 Congress, two Nationalist Congress Party, 11 Independents and one of the North East Socialist Democratic Party. Two other Independents are in the opposition.

However, the Congress may lose the precious vote of one suspended Congress legislator P.N. Syiem during the presidential poll.

Under the presidential election 2017 system, the total value of the votes from the 60 legislators of the Meghalaya assembly and three members of Parliament (two Lok Sabha members and one Rajya Sabha member) will be 3,144.

While the vote value of 60 legislators is 1,020, that of three parliamentarians -- Conrad Sangma (NPP), Vincent Pala and Wansuk Syiem (both from Congress) -- is 2,124.

The value of the vote of an individual MLA from Meghalaya is 17 each due to the small population size, while that of an MP is 708 each, which is the same all over the country.

Ram Nath Kovind promises to keep office of President above party politics

Kovind appealed to all members of the presidential election collegium to support his candidature.

NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday promised to keep the office of the President above party politics as he campaigned in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking both in Hyderabad and Vijayawada, he said the office of the President should be kept above party politics and assured the parties supporting him that he will uphold the highest esteem of the prestigious office.

Stating that he is not associated with any political party, Kovind appealed to all members of the presidential election 2017 collegium to support his candidature.

Kovind addressed meetings of ruling parties in both the Telugu states, besides meeting MPs and MLAs of Andhra Pradesh's main opposition party YSR Congress and leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an opposition party in Telangana.

He spoke at the meeting of the leaders of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in Hyderabad and a joint meeting of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its alliance partner BJP in Vijayawada.

"Ever since I became Governor of Bihar, I have been working throughout in a non-partisan manner, keeping every citizen of Bihar with equal status without any discrimination. I can assure you that I will continue to keep the position of the President above party," he told the meeting attended by TRS President and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and some other BJP leaders in Hyderabad.

"As on today I am not associated with any political party. Of course my earlier background had been with the BJP. I had the privilege of working in the team of Venkaiah Naidu. Even after resigning the governorship, I did not join any party," Kovind said.

At Vijayawada, Kovind said that for President, the Constitution is the "Geeta", "Quran", "Ramayana" and the "Bible". "It is the only guide book by which the President is supposed to work," he said.

He said for President the well being of every citizen of the country, irrespective of caste, region, religion and geographic location was important.

Stating that the President is also the supreme commander of the armed forces, he said security of "our international borders should be our topmost priority". Read more

'Mischievous' AAP attempting to boost its chances through 'Udta Punjab': Subramaniam Swamy

'Mischievous' AAP attempting to boost its chances through 'Udta Punjab': Subramaniam Swamy

Questioning the release timing of Shahid Kapoor-starrer 'Udta Punjab', Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday alleged that theAam Aadmi Party (AAP) was making mischievous attempts to boost its chances in next year's state assembly polls courtesy the drug abuse highlighted in the flick.

Swamy's remark came a day after Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani alleged that the movie's co-producer Anurag Kashyap has taken money from Arvind Kejriwal-led party to show Punjab in bad light.

Swamy told ANI the timing of this movie is wrong because it really makes out that the Punjab Government is responsible for drug abuse in the state.

"Nobody has doubts that drug is a big problem. Who says it started with Akalis? It started with the Congress. This appears to be a mischievous attempt to further the cause of the AAP. And with the AAP defending itself, that only confirms itself," Swamy said.

The BJP's Rajya Sabha MP further said there is nothing wrong if the movie is released after the Punjab elections are over.

Asserting that the 2017 Punjab elections would be fought on the grounds of the rampant drug abuse in the state, the AAP had yesterday accused Prime MinisterNarendra Modi of having the CBFC chief in his pocket and using him as a pawn to further his chances in the polls by playing politics over 'Udta Punjab'.

Read more

Poll results may trigger knee-jerk reaction

Markets are gearing up for the outcome of Assembly elections in five states – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry – scheduled for May 19. Though an unfavourable outcome for the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could trigger a knee-jerk reaction in the markets, analysts rule out a significant correction from the current levels.

LIVE BLOG: In 2 days, you will know the people's verdict: Jayalalithaa

Factors like the progress of monsoon, corporate earnings, inflation trajectory and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s stance on policy rates will be key in determining market direction over the next few weeks, they say.

Also Read: Kerala assembly elections: Will BJP make inroads this time?

“The markets could see a negative knee-jerk reaction and come under pressure in the short-run in case the NDA were to lose in Assam, the only state where it hopes to win. Even then, I do not expect the Nifty50 index to slip below 7,500 levels. The upside, too, seems to be capped around 7,900 levels. Besides the election, the ongoing results season and the progress of the monsoon over the next few weeks will have a bearing on market direction,” says U R Bhat, managing director,Dalton Capital Advisors.

Also Read: Assam assembly polls: Will Himanta Biswa Sarma make BJP's luck in the state?

For Tirthankar Patnaik, India strategist at Japan-based Mizuho Bank, the progress of monsoons over the next few weeks is a bigger concern than State election outcomes. He, too, expects the Nifty50 to find support at 7,500 levels in case of unfavourable election outcome and sees the upside capped at 8,000.Read more.