Presidential poll: Happy that Dalit will be next President, says Mayawati

New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Monday expressed happiness that a Dalit would become the next President of India, irrespective of who wins the election. 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. Meanwhile, the BJP parliamentary board will meet in the evening to pick the ruling NDA's vice presidential candiadate. The meeting is expected after the voting for the presidential poll ends. There is speculation that the saffron party may pick a candidate from a region where it has been traditionally weak so as to send out a positive message. Its chief Amit Shah has identified states like Kerala, Telangana and West Bengal as the new growth region for the party. As was the case with its presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit seen as a surprise pick, the party might go for a face that will help it politically. Names of Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and O Rajagopal are being mentioned as probables. An alliance of 18 opposition parties, including the Congress, has already announced Gopalkrishna Gandhi as its candidate for vice presidential poll scheduled for August 5. July 18 is the last date for filing of nominations. The electoral college for the election consists of 790 MPs of the two chambers of Parliament. The ruling bloc enjoys an overwhelming majority in the electoral college and BJP has expressed confidence about garnering anywhere between 500 and 550 votes. (With inputs from agencies)