VASCO: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday claimed that NDA’s Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind will win with more than 70 per cent of the total votes.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit by Kovind to Goa on Saturday. Gadkari holds Road Transport, Highways and Shipping portfolios.
During the visit Kovind held meetings with the legislators supporting the Manohar Parrikar-led government including from BJP, Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three Independents. Interestingly, NCP MLA Churchill Alemao too attended the meeting.
“Today NDA’s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind along with me held discussions with the legislators supporting the Parrikar-led government in Goa. He met the MLAs from Maharashtra and Goa who are part of NDA and I am happy to announce that everyone has assured to support. During the interaction, the Presidential candidate has told the legislators that justice as per Indian Constitution would be his priority,” Gadkari said.
He further said, “This is the last day of tour by Kovind during which he has visited 26 States. Today he has toured three Maharashtra, Goa and will now head to Gujarat. I am sure when results will be announced, he will win with more than 70 per cent votes,” Gadkari.
Churchill said, “I came here because I was invited by Parrikar. So, I decided to come for the meeting to hear Kovind. Whether to vote for him or not will be decided by my party and I will stand by my party decision and cannot promise my support to NDA’s Presidential candidate until party high command makes a final decision.”
Speaking to reporters, Parrikar said, “Goa is a small State and the total value of votes for Presidential candidate from is only 20, still it is for the first time in the history that any presidential candidate has come to Goa to canvas for the poll and even visited North east states which have only 8 votes. This signifies that Goa and even other small states have important position as far as NDA is concerned. I am fully confident that NDA candidate will get full support from Goa.”
Commenting on Churchill’s presence at the meeting, Parrikar said, “He had come to listen to Kovind. We are asking votes from all, I will request all 38 MLA’s from Goa to vote for NDA candidate.”
