NEW DELHI –
Ram Nath Kovind, a politician of humble origin, is the new president of India. The 71-year-old partijgenoot of prime minister Narendra Modi received a overwhelming support. Nearly 5,000 regional and federal members of parliament spent Monday their vote, Thursday, was the count. Kovinds opponent Meira Kumar, a dalit woman from the lowest social class, there was as expected not to pass.
“Kovind has a clear majority,” said Anoop Mishra, head of the polling station. “I call him, rightly, to president of India.” The position of president in the densely populated country is mainly ceremonial. The prime minister and his cabinet have the executive power.