Presidential Election 2017: Ahead of Ram Nath Kovind's Meghalaya visit, regional party says it won't vote

Shillong: The Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) of Meghalaya on Thursday decided to abstain from the presidential poll for NDA nominee’s “anti-minority” stand and Congress’ “years of failures.” The party, having four MLAs in the House of 60, took the decision at the central executive committee (CEC) of the party held in Shillong. [caption id=“attachment_3784187” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Ram Nath Kovind. PTI[/caption] “We have unanimously decided to abstain from the 17 July presidential elections,” HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit said. “We cannot vote for a non-secular person and how can we allow such a person with this kind of mindset. He (Ram Nath Kovind) does not deserve to occupy the post of the president,” he said. The NDA nominee is scheduled to arrive in Meghalaya on Thursday where he will address the state’s collegium by the side of a scenic Umiam Lake. The party’s opposition to Kovind was on the latter’s alleged statement describing Islam and Christianity as “alien to the nation” and also opposing reservations for backward sections of religious minorities in the country. According to the party president, the party would also not vote for the opposition Congress nominee Meira Kumar blaming the “failure” of the party. “The Congress has failed to govern the country despite being the ruling party for several decades,” Ardent said. The ruling Congress has 30 members including a suspended member. This apart, there are 13 Independents, one of the North East Democratic Party, eight of United Democratic Party and two each of the NPP and NCP.