BJP MLA from UP casts vote for Presidential poll

A BJP MLA from UP has voted in the presidential election, NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu has cast her only possible saffron party vote from Kerala, otherwise, there is no elected representative from the southern state.

BJP’s Sevapuri MLA Neel Ratan Singh Patel, who is currently undergoing an Ayurvedic treatment at a hospital in North Palakkad district, traveled all the way to Thiruvananthapuram to exercise his franchise at a polling booth set up in the state assembly complex.

Patel said he represents the Sevapuri Assembly segment under the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency represented by Prime Minister Modi.

“I am currently undergoing Ayurvedic treatment at a facility in Palakkad. I reached Thiruvananthapuram yesterday by road to vote (in the presidential election). I will return to Varanasi on August 5 after treatment”, said Patel.

Since the BJP or its alliance has no representatives in the 140-member assembly, 20 Lok Sabha seats and the Rajya Sabha, 100 per cent MPs and MLAs belong to both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition. The Congress-led UDF candidate will vote for opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha in the presidential election.