The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has picked Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as the National Democratic Alliance`s (NDA) presidential candidate and is seeking support from all parties for their candidate. If elected, Kovind will be India`s second Dalit president, KR Narayanan having been the first.

Kovind has served twice as a Rajya Sabha member owing to his expertise in law and the Indian constitution. While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has vouched for Kovind`s “unbiased manner” in discharging duties, the Bihar Governor`s surprisingly biased comments at a press conference in New Delhi in 2010 have surfaced. Speaking at the event, Ram Nath Kovind openly opposed the Ranganath Misra commission report, wherein a minor reservation for Muslims and Scheduled Caste status for Dalits across religions were recommended. He is quoted as saying “Islam and Christianity are alien to the nation” but did not mind Sikh Dalits enjoying reservation.

The leaders of the Opposition will meet on Thursday to decide their candidate.