Ram Nath Kovind elected as new President: How it can help PM Modi en route 2019

Along expected lines, Ram Nath Kovind has been elected as the 14th President of India. While the symbolic part of Kovind's accession to country's top constitutional post is immense, it will also help the government in several ways to pursue its governance agenda in the run up to the 2019 elections. 

Much smoother coordination: 

Ram Nath Kovind is the first person from the Sangh Parivar to become the President of India. PM Modi too had his ideological bearings in the Sangh. Venkaiah Naidu, soon to become Vice President is a Sangh protege too. These three in a coordinated manner can ensure that governance can be fast-tracked with two years to go for general elections.  Many times, the government faced impasse in RS over passing of bill and resorts to bringing ordinances. These came under scrutiny from Pranab Mukherjee during early days of Modi government, who asked for explanation regarding rationale behind such decisions. With Kovind in the helm, Modi can hope for a smoother ride.  PM Modi also has grand plans for merging of assembly and state elections, electoral reforms etc. Kovind is likely to give PM moral and institutional support to bring all stake holders on the same page. 

Opposition may lose their 'voice':

Pranab Mukherjee was a career politician, a quintessential Congressman who became the President at the twilight of his career. From time to time, the opposition went to him to highlight several perceived errors of omission and commission by the Modi government. Pranab Mukherjee treaded the fine line between being the titular head of the government and the conscience-keeper of the nation. Time and again, he warned the government implicitly on several issues like campus violence, intolerance, lynchings, etc. While Pranab Mukherjee, being a deft politician ensured that he didn't go over the top in his criticism, managed to make his voice heard. The opposition often used it to score political brownie points post President's comments. With Kovind, opposition may lose that support. 

It is not to suggest that Kovind will stay silent to some gross transgressions if done by the ruling government. Kovind, who had a fine record as Bihar Governor will certainly behave accordingly as the President. But it will be more measured and muted. Kovind who is part of the same ecosystem is unlikely to rock the boat without any pertinent reason. 

Legislative agenda likely to get a boost: 

With BJP also most likely to get Venkaiah Naidu elected as the Vice President, the government can expect to push its legislative agenda in Rajya Sabha, which is officiated by VP. The NDA as a block will not get majority till 2019 in the upper house but BJP will have more MPs than Congress from next year onwards. It will need deft politicking to get bills passed in the last couple of years. A friendly chair will certainly help, as will a President who is unlikely to dilly-dally with signing of bills. 

Political leverage from Kovind:

At a time when the opposition is trying to put blame on lynching deaths on the government, PM Modi can take Kovind's help to blunt their attack. The government is clearly worried that it may lose the vote of the middle class and the Dalits, if this pattern continues. President Kovind can go a long way for BJP to cut the losses. BJP can go back to its electorate and blunt opposition's attack of being anti-Dalit by touting Kovind's example. 

Kovind in his own can also raise his voice against lynching, pitching for greater cohesion among the society.  With Mayawati looking to retrieve her Dalit votes, a MahaDalit in Raisina Hills may go a long way for BJP to keep the Hindu votes united, especially in the politically sensitive and critical state of UP. 

Unfolding situation in Bihar 

Currently with corruption cases plaguing Lalu Prasad Yadav and his kin, the Bihar government looks increasingly unsteady. Nitish Kumar has issued a warning to Tejashwi Yadav to come clean. But with nonstop onslaught from the investigation agencies, the noose is tightening around Lalu and his family. The political waters in Bihar is likely to remain hostile for RJD-JD(U) for the foreseeable future. A  situation may arise where President's rule is imposed in Bihar. In that case, who better than Ram Nath Kovind to rule Bihar by proxy, who is well versed with the state politics after a stint as Governor.  

'Friendly President' helps in case of Hung Parliament

The Modi government is currently enjoying great deal of public confidence, and looks all set to be re-elected to power in 2019. But world of politics is fickle, and things can change drastically in two years. Even Vajpayee was confident of winning in 2004 and even moved the election dates ahead to get a big majority. Rest as they say is history.  The post of President which is ceremonial for the major part gets to have the last word while inviting an alliance or party for government formation in case of hung Parliament.  If the next election throws up a hung Parliament, a ' friendly President' may benefit NDA. The party or group which is given the first chance of forming the government has more chance to attract potential allies. Just think of how BJP managed to form government in Goa despite having less seats than Congress.  Thus, Kovind's most significant role may come after the 2019 Elections.

But for now, a BJP man will occupy the hallowed Raisina Hills for the sometime. It's a huge milestone in India's history which has been largely dominated by the left liberal Nehruvian ideology. Only time will tell, how it changes the future.