Besides JD(U), the NDA has the support of several regional parties including both factions of the AIADMK, Telangana's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal and the Telugu Desam Party of Andhra Pradesh. After the announcement of Mr Kovind's candidature by the BJP last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke to a number of opposition leaders, including Congress' Sonia Gandhi, TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and BJD's Naveen Patnaik, to seek their support.


(Photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all parties, including the opposition for their support for Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind)