Prez polls: Delhi MLAs cast their votes

Chief Minister Arvind Kejirwal on Monday said MLAs should vote in the Presidential poll according to their conscience.

Sheltering himself from the rain under an umbrella, the Aam Aadmi Party

national convenor reached room number 35 of the Delhi Assembly, where voting was underway to elect India's next President.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, SC/ST Welfare Rajendra Pal Gautam, Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birlan and Leader of Opposition Vijender Dupta were seen exercising their franchise at the Vidhan Sabha on Monday.

Out of 70 MLAs, only 67 legislators cast their votes, while two were absent. Bawana MLA Ved Prakash had resigned from his post and joined BJP before the civic polls.

"Casting vote for the highest post of the country is a matter of pride. The country should win," Sisodia told reporters after casting his vote.

Earlier in the day, BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma claimed that "10-12 legislators" of the ruling AAP had voted for the NDA's candidate, Ram Nath Kovind.

"We are supporting Meira Kumar. All should vote following their conscience," Kejriwal, who cast his vote in the Delhi assembly, said in response.

"In a democracy, whoever gets more votes wins," Kejriwal added.

As voting for the Presidential elections gathered steam with city legislators arriving at the assembly, among the first to vote were Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, sacked AAP minister Kapil Mishra and Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta.

"My vote went to one who is all set to become the next President," Mishra told reporters.