"I'm not affiliated with any political party," says Kovind

NDA nominee for Presidential elections Ramnath Kovind has claimed that he was not associated with any political party ever since he assumed the post of Governor of Bihar.

Addressing TRS legislators at Jal Vihar on Tuesday as part of his election campaign, Kovind said that the office of President of India was above politics and it works as per the Constitution. Stating that India was world's biggest democracy, he said if elected as President, he would discharge his duties as per the Constitution.

Kovind thanked Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his party colleagues for extending their support to his candidature. He expressed happiness over KCR announcing support immediately after his candidature was announced. He also thanked KCR for being a signatory to his nomination papers. Besides enjoying the support of 33 constituents of NDA, he said non-NDA parties like TRS, YSRCP, JD (U) and AIADMK were supporting his candidature.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu thanked KCR for supporting Ramnath Kovind's candidature. He said KCR has been supporting all major decisions of BJP Government at the Centre. He reminded that KCR was among the first to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision on demonitisation and GST. He criticised the Congress and other opposition parties for fielding a candidate. He said it would have been better if the Congress would have facilitated unanimous election of the President.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao expressed confidence that Ramnath Kovind would win the elections with a thumping majority. He sought the blessings of Ramnath Kovind for the prosperity and development of Telangana

KCR also listed out various schemes being implemented by his government for the development of Telangana. He said Telangana was among the fastest growing States in the country.

Earlier, Ramnath Kovind was accorded a warm reception by Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Deputy Chief Ministers Mohammed Mahmood Al and Kadiyam Srihari at Begumpet Airport on Tuesday. TRS leaders including Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, Home Minister Nayani Narsimha Reddy and Finance Minister Etela Rajender were also present.

Led by Telangana unit president Dr. K. Lakshman, BJP legislators met Kovind at Haritha Plaza in Begumpet. TDP MP G. Rammohan Reddy and MLA S. Venkata Veeraiah also met the Presidential nominee at Haritha Plaza.

Later, Kovind met YSRCP legislators at Hotel Park Hyatt. YSRCP President Jagan Mohan Reddy welcomed the NDA Presidential candidate. Jagan introduced his party MLAs and MPs to Ramnath Kovind and assured that his party would vote in favour on July 17.