The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena, along with the independents supporting the government in Maharashtra on Saturday put up united show for the victory of NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind in the election to the President of India. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has made the ensuing Presidential election a prestige issue, assured Kovind that more than 200 legislators will vote for him during the polling slated for Monday at the state legislature.
Fadnavis was speaking at the meeting of NDA MPs and legislators and independents organized on the occasion of Kovind's visit to the city. Kovind was accompanied by the union minister of roads and highways Nitin Gadkari and Madhya Pradesh minister Kailas Vijayvargiya.
BJP's ruling partner Shiv Sena also reiterated its support to Kovind. Senior party leader and state industries minister Subhash Desai said his party will stick to his word.
In his speech, Kovind at the outset declared that he will perform his duties impartially while remaining within the Constitutional framework.
A senior BJP minister, who did not want to be identified, told DNA,'' Kovind listed out his priorities which among other things include focus on education especially modern education to all, improvement in health sector and expediting the development process especially in the underdeveloped or less developed regions across India.'' According to the minister, Kovind was deeply concern over lack of adequate education facilities in various states despite number of schemes implemented by the Centre and states.
In the 288 member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, BJP's strength is 123 and Shiv Sena 63. Fadnavis has already succeeded to muster support from at least 14 independents. Some BJP leaders hinted that few legislators from opposition Congress and NCP may support Kovind. However, both Congress and NCP have denied such a possibility.
Congress with 42 members and NCP with 41 members are optimistic to get support from like-minded parties including Samajwadi Party, Peasants and Workers Party, Republican Party of Indio (Kawade) and few independents in favour of UPA nominee Meira Kumar. In Maharashtra the value of legislator's vote is 175.
Meanwhile, Kovind skipped the visit to Matoshree, the official residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. However, Kovind, in a bid to keep Shiv Sena in good humour, spoke to Uddhav Thackeray on phone before leaving for Goa.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Kovind")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}