India elects new President – Ram Nath Kovind wins by huge margin

India has elected the next President. Mr Ram Nath Kovind, nominated by the ruling NDA, has been elected as country’s 14th President with a massive margin. According to the Election Commission, 522 MPs voted for Ram Nath Kovind, 225 MPs voted for Meira Kumar, who was nominated by the opposition parties, while 77 votes were declared invalid.

Some cases of cross voting have come to light when opposition party members favoured Ram Nath Kovind. Out of 57 Congress MLAs in Gujarat, 8 voted for Kovind, and out of 16 Congress MLAs in Goa, Meira Kumar got only 11 votes.

“NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind, on Thursday, became the 14th President of India after a massive win over Opposition’s Meira Kumar. Mr. Kovind received a massive 7,02,044 votes, 65.35% per cent in total as opposed to Ms. Kumar’ who got 3,67,314…” -http://www.republicworld.com/s/1583/who-is-ram-nath-kovind

“NDA’s nominee Ram Nath Kovind won the Presidential election by defeating opposition’s candidate Meira Kumar. The presidential election on July 17 saw close to 100 percent polling. A total of 771 members of Parliament and 4,109 legislators were eligible to cast votes…” –http://zeenews.india.com/india/live-updates/presidential-election-2017-ram-nath-kovind-vs-meira-kumar-counting-of-votes-today-2025181

“Never aspired or aimed for the position of President of India, emotional at this juncture,” Mr. Kovind was quoted as saying, following the massive victory.

Honorable President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as various leaders congratulated Mr Kovind and expressed hopes for his valuable role in India’s future.

Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Ram Nath Kovind on being elected as the 14th President of India #PresidentMukherjee

— President Mukherjee (@POI13) July 20, 2017

https://twitter.com/RajatJa29166830/status/888017394639052802

I am sure Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji will distinguish himself as an exceptional President of our nation.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 20, 2017

We congratulate Shri. Ram Nath Kovind on being elected as the President of India

— Congress (@INCIndia) July 20, 2017

Keeping with his healthy political spirit, the Prime Minister also congratulated Meira Kumar for having contested the election even though the outcome was almost known: “I also congratulate @meira_kumar Ji for her campaign, which was in spirit of the democratic ethos & values we all are proud of”, he said.

President of India holds responsibility of a great magnitude. This is especially true as India is the past and the future of the world. As appropriately said in this article, if India is safe the world will be safe. If India is peaceful the world will be peaceful. If India is prosperous the world will be prosperous. Historically known as Bharat, once India led the world and has the potential to do it again. We cannot afford to lose the momentum. Helping India grow stronger and lead the world with its cultural wealth and spiritual wisdom is a service to the entire world.

We congratulate and wish all the best to Mr Ram Nath Kovind on this day. May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, bless him with the ability to serve India with all sincerity.