Shillong, July 7: NDA’s presidential candidate, Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said, if elected as President, his focus would be overall development of the nation, and assured that there would be no discrimination.
Addressing opposition MLAs in the Congress-ruled state here, Kovind said, “I will always strive for all round development of the nation, and the nation includes all states, whether big or small.”
He said that Meghalaya may be a small state, but that does not make any difference as the state is as equal as big states like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Stating that the Constitution of India is supreme, he said, “it is the sacred duty not only of the President, but of every citizen to upkeep and maintain its supremacy. I assure that I will do my best to maintain and uphold the esteem of this highest office,” Kovind who was Bihar governor said.
“I assure that there will be no discrimination on the basis of caste, greed, region, religion, sex or geographical location,” he added.
Accompanied by Union Minister of Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar and other BJP leaders, the address by Kovind was attended by NDA allies – the National Peoples’ Party (NPP) and opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
The NPP has 2 MLAs and UDP has 8 MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president Sanbor Shullai did not attend the meeting though on Thursday said that he would attend the campaign of the NDA presidential candidate on the invitation of Assam minister and NEDA chairman, Himanta Biswa Sarma
NPP leader, and Lok Sabha MP from Tura parliamentary constituency, Conrad K. Sangma chaired the meeting at Orchid Lake Resort, Umïam.
BJP national general secretary, Ram Madhav, Sarma, besides leaders of the BJP and NPP in Meghalaya attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the NDA nominee also assured that he would do his best to fulfill the aspirations of the youths and also take interests in the development of modern education.
Stating that the country will be celebrating its 75 years of independence in 2022, Kovind also called for building a new India.
“I was told that the Prime Minister had already said that NE states could become the New Engine for new development of the entire nation, and it could become the gateway of India for South East Asian countries,” Kovind said.