New Delhi: Former Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, takes on opposition candidate and former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar in the presidential elections 2017 on Monday. While Kumar has the support of 17 opposition parties, Kovind is set to sweep with nearly 70% of electoral college votes, added the report. Kovind is likely to get support of 2,180 MLAs and 530 MPs, while Kumar is set to get support from 1628 MLAs and 232 MPs, added the report. According to a PTI report, a total of 4,896 voters—4,120 MLAs and 776 elected MPs—are eligible to cast their ballot. The BJP-led NDA has 537,683 votes, including the votes of the Shiv Sena, and the shortage is around 12,000 votes.

Source: Mint July 17, 2017 05:03 UTC