Bharatiya Janata Party announced Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as party's candidate for the July 2017 presidential election, today at a press meet after the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting. He will be replacing outgoing President Mr. Pranabh Mukherji on 24rth July. Ram Nath Kovind is a name which is unheard by many however his journey from Pooreset village to Rashtra Pati Bhavan is full of struggle, sacrifice and dedication.
His Brief Introduction
Ram Nath Kovind, who has been chosen as the National Democratic Alliance's presidential nominee, was born on October 1, 1945 in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh. As a lawyer, he has practised in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court for 16 years.
Mr. Kovind first stepped into politics in 1994 when he was elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh. He served for two consecutive terms for 12 years till March, 2006. He represented India in the United Nations in New York and addressed United Nations General Assembly in October, 2002.
During his parliamentary tenure, Mr. Kovind emphasised on development of basic infrastructure for education in rural areas and helped in the construction of school buildings in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand under MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) Scheme.
He has served as a member of several parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Parliamentary Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, among others.
Mr. Kovind served as a member of the Board of Management of Dr. B.R Ambedkar University, Lucknow. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.
The decision was taken at the BJP's Parliamentary Board at party headquarters here. Among others, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah attended the crucial meeting to decide the presidential candidate.
Inspirational Journey of Shri RAM NATH KOVIND
- Born on October 1, 1945 in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur Dehat, Ram Nath Kovind was a lawyer by profession. He practised as an advocate for the Central Government at Delhi High Court from 1977 to 1979. He was a permanent advocate for the Centre at the Supreme Court between 1980 and 1993.
- Ram Nath Kovind, 76-year-old, is now the Bihar Governor. The BJP-led Centre had appointed Ram Nath Kovind as Bihar Governor in August 2015 with a view to woo the Dalits in the state Assembly elections held in December that year.
- Ram Nath Kovind was a Rajya Sabha member between 1994 and 2006 from Uttar Pradesh.As Rajya Sabha MP, he visited Thailand, Nepal, Germany, Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, Pakistan and United States of America on study tours.
- Kovind, a Dalit, was member of the Parliamentary Committees for SC/ST Welfare, home ministry, petroleum and natural gas, social justice and rights, and law and justice. He was also the chairman of Rajya Sabha Housing Committee.
- Ram Nath Kovind was a member of Management Board for Dr BR Ambedkar University, Lucknow and Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.
- Kovind represented India at United Nations in New York and addressed the General Assembly in October 2002.
- Ram Nath Kovind was the BJP's SC cell president from 1998 to 2002. He was also BJP's national spokesperson.
- Ram Nath Kovind was also the member of BJP's National Executive Committee as a permanent invitee.
