Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar phoned Sonia Gandhi, the Congress boss, in April to suggest a corralling of opposition parties over the election of the President of India. Mr Kumar pitched the idea of a united opposition candidate as a test run for a 'Maha-Gathbandhan' or Grand Alliance for the general election in 2019. Mr Kumar phoned Mrs Gandhi again two days ago - this time to convey that he would, in fact, side with the BJP - and not the opposition - on its choice for President. A formal announcement was made this evening by Mr Kumar's party that it will support BJP nominee Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit who was Governor of Bihar till yesterday.
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