With much fanfare BJP backed Ram Nath Kovind was elected 14th President of India. It was expected that he will win the election as electrol college votes were in his favour. As per present Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State Assembly votes, it was presumed that he will get about 58% of votes,(the votes from NDA members and some other committed parties like AIDMK, Telangana Ruling Party, Bihar JD U) but in fact he garnered about 66% 0f votes. As per statement made by BJP managers that RN Kovind received additional votes from 115 MLAs from various states and more than 15 MPs from opposition parties also voted for him. This is serious set back for Sonia & Rahul Gandhi who were trying unite opposition parties against NDA in the name of Presidential polls and forthcoming General election in Apr 2019.
It has been observed that some of opposition parties like Congress, NCP, SP, TMC , AAP could not control their members as few of their members cross voted.. The states where members cross voted :
- Maharashtra- Out of 288 MLAs 287 MLAs voted, the strength of BJP led alliance is 186 but RN Kovind received 208 votes in his favour. It means that 22 MLAs cross voted
R. N. Mungale
It sure is a set back for opposition.
Bobby
Politics is the last refuge of scoundrels as the old adage goes, so like rats, is it surprising they leave a sinking ship?
Yet, there’s a need for a strong opposition as power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!