Shiv Sena promises vote to NDA's Presidential pick Kovind
The Shiv Sena promised its vote to NDA's Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind after he addressed MPs and legislators from the BJP and its allies, at his recent campaign stop in Mumbai. Kovind reportedly called Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray to thank him for his party's support. Notably, Maharashtra is the 25th state that Kovind has visited during his Presidential campaign. 
The National Democratic Alliance?s (NDA) presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind visited Mumbai on Saturday for a brief campaign stop, ahead of Monday?s election. Kovind spoke to MPs and legislators from the BJP and its allies in the state, including Shiv Sena, at Churchgate?s Garware Club. Sena MPs and ministers attended the function, ending speculation about the party top brass being miffed over Kovind not meeting Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray during this visit. Kovind skipped the customary visit to the Thackeray residence ? current President Pranab Mukherjee and his predecessor Pratibha Patil had done so to seek support ? but called Thackeray to thank him for his party?s support. Thackeray confirmed this at a press conference later. READ: Ram Nath Kovind may not meet Uddhav Thackeray during Mumbai visit on July 15Kovind was given a grand welcome at the Mumbai airport by CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. He was then driven to the Garware club for a BJP-organised ?meet the candidate? function. Ramdas Athawale (Republican Party of India), Mahadev Jankar (Rashtriya Samaj Paksha), industries minister Subhash Desai and union minister Anant Geete of the Sena were other leaders at the meet . Last month, BJP president Amit Shah met Thackeray seeking his support for the Presidential polls. ?Thackeray announced his support some time ago. Our MPs and legislators were at the function today. We will vote for the NDA candidate,?? said a Sena minister. ?This was a campaign stop and Maharashtra is the 25th state Kovind has visited,?? said BJP MLA Raj Purohit, who organised the event. While there were reports 40% of NDA?s public representatives missed the meet, Purohit said it was a full house.