Mamata congratulates NDA nominee Kovind in advance

Kolkata July 20 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday congratulated NDA s presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind in advance asserting that he would become the next President of India.

"Congratulations to Ram Nath Kovind Ji who will be our next President " Banerjee tweeted.

After casting her vote on July 17 when polling in the presidential election was held Banerjee said her party supported Opposition-backed nominee Meira Kumar and said it is a mark of protest against the BJP s "atrocities".

She had also said that her party MPs have voted for Kumar knowing she might lose.

Lawmakers across India voted on July 17 to elect the country s 14th President.

The counting of votes began at 11 a.m. on Thursday to decide the successor of President Pranab Mukherjee who demits office on July 25.

--IANS
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