Ram Nath Kovind resigns as Bihar Governor

Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind has resigned from the gubernatorial post. The resignation follows his nomination as the ruling NDA’s presidential candidate.

President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted the resignation of Mr. Kovind as the Governor of Bihar, a communiqué issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on June 20, 2017.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi will discharge the functions of the Governor of Bihar, in addition to his own duties, it said.

The BJP on June 19, 2017 announced the name of 71-year-old Mr. Kovind, a low-profile Dalit leader and a two-term BJP Rajya Sabha member, as its nominee for President.

The presidential election is scheduled for July 17, 2017. Mr. Mukherjee completes his five-year term on July 24, 2017.