Kovind, who was a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh and a former lawyer, spoke at length on the Bill that sought to reform contempt laws.
Nitish Kumar has been known to make decisions independent of the party line, for example welcoming the demonetization decision, surgical strikes in 2016 and the JD-U support for UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee, while sharing power with BJP in the state.
Kumar also said that he would not attend the Opposition meeting to be held today.
The JD-U decision came as a shock for the Congress-led 17-party front, which is meeting in New Delhi June 22 to decide on its strategy in the presidential election.
Nitish also said that "I had a word with Laluji and Sonia Gandhi, and there will be discussion on this". "We will see what kind of Opposition candidate is suggested at tomorrow's meeting".
On the other hand, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury is in talks with the Congress and non-NDA parties to know their opinion about Prakash Ambedkar.
However, some Left leaders pointed to SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's presence at a yoga day event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Lucknow.
The BJP, as well as its supporters, reacted similarly.
Queen unveils govt's scaled-down agenda
A curious omission in the Queen's Speech at the formal open of the British Parliament Wednesday ginned up the rumor mill that U.S. In other respects, her speech - which is shaped by the governing party's priorities - was notable for what it left out entirely.
Azad later clarified that the Congress does not have any issue with Ram Nath Kovind but the BJP's ideology.
Sources said former ambassador and governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi was still among the probables. While thanking him for his party's support to Kovind, Naidu invited him to be present during the filing of nomination to which he agreed.
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge termed Nitish's support to Kovind "his personal decision" and said JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav in the all-party meeting had come up with the view of deciding on the presidential candidate once the Government declares its nominee.
An "opportunity" has been provided for a member of the Dalit community to be elected to the President's office, and "for providing that opportunity (to Kovind), we have made a decision to support him", Panneerselvam added.
"This isolated incident will have no bearing on our efforts for the larger opposition unity", he said.
Tyagi further said that the JD-U chose to support the candidature of Kovind because his tenure as Bihar Governor was very successful and he carried his duties with dignity and aplomb that is expected from the head of a state.
But if one looks into the political journey of Nitish, the JD (U) chief has surprised one and all.
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