OPS Faction To Support NDA Nominee Ram Nath Kovind:- The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AIADMK) contender Puratchi Thalaivi Amma faction led by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam today announced its support to NDA’s Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind.

OPS voicing confidence said that he will perform as a “Good Administrator”. He further said that the National President of BJP Mr. Amit Shah sought support from him for the Ex Bihar Governor. Besides the MPs and MLAs owing cooperation to him, the matter was discussed with senior functionaries of the faction today, said Paneerselvam.

He told reporters that, “it has been unanimously decided to back Kovind, based on BJP President Amit Shah’s request.” Paneerselvam added “to be elected to the President’s office, an “opportunity” has been provided for a Dalit community member and we have decided to support him for providing that opportunity to Kovind.”

When asked if the faction, which has 12 MPs and an equal number of MLAs, was supporting Kovind since he hailed from the Dalit Community, Paneerselvam said besides having served as the Governor of Bihar, the presidential nominee has been a former MP twice, and was, therefore, “experienced.”

When asked about Kovind’s RSS background and reports that opposition Congress may also field a Dalit candidate against NDA’s pick, Paneerselvam said “We are confident he will perform as a good administrator.”

The announcement by the Puratchi Thalaivi Amma faction comes a day after the AIADMK’s Amma camp had announced backing Kovind in the race to Raisina Hill. Yesterday, Chief Minister E Palanisamy even announced the faction’s support to Kovind.

SUPRAJA