Presidential election: Lalu Yadav says will appeal Nitish Kumar to support 'Bihar ki Beti' Meira Kumar

Pic Courtesy: ANI

Patna: A day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced his support to NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav on Thursday said that he will appeal to the Janata Dal (United) supremo to back 'Bihar ki Beti' Meira Kumar in the presidential race. 

"Nitish ji called me and said that it is his personal decision to back Ram Nath Kovind. I would appeal to him to rethink and support 'Bihar Ki Beti' Meira Kumar," Lalu told reporters. 

"However, JD(U)'s decision to support Kovind will not have any impact on Bihar's ruling alliance," he added while refuting rumours of any crack in the alliance.

On Thursday afternoon, the Congress-led Opposition parties announced former Lok Sabha speaker meira Kumar as their presidential candidate.

Kumar, a five-time Member of Parliament, was elected unopposed as the first woman Speaker of Lok Sabha and served from 2009 to 2014. She is a lawyer and a former diplomat.

Yesterday, dealing a major blow to the RJD, the JD(U) confirmed that they will support NDA's pick for the presidential post Kovind.

"All the leaders have decided that we will support Ram Nath Kovind for the post of president. He is Bihar`s first Governor who has been nominated for this post. We are very happy with this, it is a matter of Bihar's development," Senior JD (U) leader Ratnesh Sada said after meeting all party leaders here.

JD(U) has been a part of the Opposition's joint initiative on the presidential elections.

The Opposition has been against Kovind's name being finalised for the post of President on grounds that they were not consulted prior to the announcement.

The election for the next President of India is to be held on July 17.

President Pranab Mukherjee will demit office on July 24.