BJP President JP Nadda declared Murmu’s candidature After a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board, who is widely regarded as the prime minister, was approved. Narendra Modilike for President’s House,
“Millions of people, especially those who have experienced poverty and faced hardships, draw a lot of strength from the life of Mrs. Draupadi Murmu ji. Her understanding and compassionate nature of policy matters will greatly benefit our country,” PM tweeted.
Millions of people, especially those who have experienced poverty and faced hardships, get a lot of strength from t… https://t.co/HOZnROJ7Ak.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1655828724000
Murmu will be the second woman president if elected Pratibha Patili (2007-12), which was backed by the UPA.
With the BJP-led NDA, which is short of a majority in the electoral college, is confident of making up the shortfall with the help of regional players such as the BJD’s Naveen Patnaik and YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy – the chief ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh respectively – Murmu appears to be the favorite to replace Ram Nath Kovind, a sitting Dalit from Uttar Pradesh at Rashtrapati Bhavan after the July 18 elections.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik immediately tweeted his support for NDA’s presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu, who was earlier a minister in the BJD-BJP alliance in Odisha. “This is indeed a proud moment for the people of Odisha,” Patnaik tweeted. “I am sure Mrs. Murmu will set a shining example for women empowerment in the country.” Observers believe that the BJD would find it difficult to oppose the candidature of someone who was born and was a minister in the state.
Besides, BJP managers are expected to get support from AIADMK. Nadda said discussions were held with all NDA allies regarding Murmu’s candidature, which is important in view of the strained relations with senior JD(U) leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
Speculation is rife about what Kumar, who parted ways with the NDA in 2012 to support the late Pranab Mukherjee, the UPA’s presidential candidate. On the other hand, recent developments such as the refusal of the opposition’s original options to enter the arena and a split in the Shiv Sena, may lower the opposition’s odds and hinder its efforts to project the contest as an ideological battle. could.
As a candidate, Murmu has ticked some political boxes for the BJP. His candidature and his possible rise is likely to add to the party’s message about the prime minister’s concern for tribals, Dalits and women. Moreover, the party is also keen to extend the gains made in the tribal areas of Odisha and West Bengal, where the Congress has registered a decline as a political force. She also fits the pattern where the BJP has tried to convey a political message through its choice for Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Party general secretary BL Santhosh underscored the effort by tweeting pictures of Murmu with Kovind and APJ Abdul Kalam. “There were three occasions when the BJP could select presidential candidates as part of the NDA. On all three occasions, it was inclusive, respected diversity and chose small towns and self-made individuals. Driven by sight, your choices reflect that glance.”
Patnaik also expressed happiness over the NDA’s choice. He tweeted, “Congratulations Draupadi Murmu on being announced as the NDA’s candidate for the country’s highest post. I felt happy when Hon’ble PM Modi ji discussed this with me. It’s really for the people of Odisha. It’s a proud moment.”
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is also from Odisha, said, “It is a matter of pride for our state that Draupadi Murmu from Odisha has been declared the NDA’s presidential candidate. She hails from a tribal family and has worked for the poor. And have served the needy. Life time.”
Nadda said soon after the meeting in the presence of PM Modi, “The party finalized Murmu’s name after in-depth discussions with NDA allies. His candidature was agreed upon by the BJP Parliamentary Board after discussions on 20 potential candidates.” Made.”
The BJP president said he and the party-appointed Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had consulted opposition parties for a consensus candidate. Nadda said, “Since the UPA-led opposition has already announced its candidate, we had no choice, though we had tried for a consensus, which could have been a good development.” Barely short of 2% votes, BJP has cemented its position by fielding Odisha native Murmu as it will be easier for the saffron party to persuade BJD chief and state CM Naveen Patnaik to vote for its candidate .
Patnaik himself has been a vocal supporter of women’s empowerment, with his party fielding a record number of women candidates in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.