Indian MPs, legislators elect president from lowest Dalit caste

Indian lawmakers and provincial legislators have elected a new president from the country's lowest and poorest Dalit caste.

According to the reports, the election commission announced Thursday that Ram Nath Kovind, who belongs to the downtrodden Dalit community, won the position with more than 65 percent of the vote by members of India's Parliament and state assemblies.  

Nearly 5,000 Indian lawmakers and provincial legislators from across the country voted to elect the new president for a five-year term. 

The 71-year-old former lawyer and state governor was nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the largely ceremonial post.

The opposition Congress Party also put forward a Dalit candidate, a former parliamentary speaker, Meira Kumar.

The ruling party, however, assembled enough electoral college votes to push through its candidate and the outcome was expected. 

Kovind will be sworn in as India's 14th president on Tuesday.  

Modi on Twitter extended congratulations to Kovind on his election. "Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji on being elected the President of India! Best wishes for a fruitful and inspiring tenure."  

Kovind, former governor of the northern Indian state of Bihar, described his election as an "emotional moment."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kovind said his election to the highest office of the land underscored the strength of India's democracy. "I never thought or aimed for this office ... I will work to protect the Indian constitution." 

Reports indicate celebrations have erupted in Kovind's home state of Uttar Pradesh with drumming and cheering in cities and villages.  

SS