Kovind's swearing-in a significant milestone: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Ram Nath Kovinds swearing-in as the next president is a "significant milestone" in the journey started by BJPs ideologue Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

Modi made these remarks, according to party sources, at the BJP parliamentary party meeting held before Kovind was sworn in as the 14th president of India.

"The journey, which was started by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and during which many lakh of people sacrificed everything, has reached a significant milestone today as the new president takes oath," Modi told party MPs, a BJP leader present in the meeting said.

Mukherjee had founded the partys precursor Jana Sangh in 1951.

The Prime Ministers comments assume significance as Kovind is the first BJP leader to occupy the highest constitutional position and the Presidents Dalit identity and humble origins have been underlined by the party, which has worked relentlessly to win over the community since coming to power in 2014.