Kovind was the NDA’s nomination for the President’s post and took oath in July 2017, a few months before the Gujarat assembly polls, which were won by the BJP.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the ruling National Democratic Alliance chose Ram Nath Kovind over BJP veteram LK Advani for the President’s post because of the former’s caste. But later, after angry responses from the BJP, which demanded an apology from Gehlot, the Chief Minister tweeted that the media had misquoted his remarks.
Gehlot said at a press meeting in Jaipur earlier in the day, “Kovindji was made the President keeping in mind the caste equations ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections. This is why Advani ji was left behind (in presidential race).”
“I was reading an article. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) was afraid he was not going to form the government in Gujarat. BJP chief Amit Shah might have given him the suggestion after which it was decided to make Ram Nath Kovind the President,” the Congress leader said.
“Though it is the BJP’s internal issue, I am discussing it because I read an article,” the Rajasthan chief minister added.
Kovind was the NDA’s nomination for the President’s post and took oath in July 2017, a few months before the Gujarat assembly polls, which were won by the BJP.
Reacting to the televised remark, the Bharatiya Janata Party demanded an apology from Gehlot and urged the Election Commission to take action against him.
“It is very unfortunate that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, a senior Congress leader who himself is on a constitutional post, made a casteist remark against the President, who is the custodian of the Constitution,” BJP spokesperson G V L Narsimha Rao told reporters.
He said the remark showed the “anti-Dalit” mindset of the Congress.
Later, Gehlot claimed he was misquoted.
“It is very unfortunate that my comments during PC have been misquoted by few media houses. I have the greatest regards for the President of India, and personally for Sh. Ramnath ji whom I have met in person and highly impressed with his simplicity and humbleness,” he tweeted.
—Inputs from PTI
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 "Ram Nath Kovind, Ashok Gehlot")
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