Presidential Election 2017: Mayawati says happy that a Dalit will be next head of state

New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday expressed happiness that a Dalit would become the next President of India, irrespective of who wins the election. [caption id=“attachment_3792893” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Mayawati. PTI[/caption] After casting her vote, she said: “Whenever elections happen, one wins while the other loses. However, I am happy whatever be the result, a Scheduled Caste person is going to become the President. It is a happy moment for our movement and our party.” The contest is between National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Ram Nath Kovind and candidate of several major opposition parties Meira Kumar, former Lok Sabha Speaker. Both come from Dalit background. The NDA has fielded former Bihar governor Kovind for the top constitutional post, while former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is the joint opposition candidate. The counting of votes will take place on 20 July in New Delhi where all the ballot boxes will be brought from various state capitals. The tenure of incumbent Pranab Mukherjee comes to an end on 24 July.