Prime Minister Narendra Modi's choice for the post of President - Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit candidate, was seen as a masterstroke to divide the opposition and keep allies together as well as a move to consolidate its growing support among politically vital backward castes. If elected, Mr Kovind will be the second Dalit President of India after KR Narayanan.


(Photo: Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah)