While all eyes were on the crucial presidential election on Monday, Odisha Congress MLA from Barabati-Cuttack constituency, Mohammad Mokim, voted for NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu despite his party’s decision to back Yashwant Sinha.
Soon after casting his vote, the MLA said that he had chosen the ‘Dharti ki Beti’ for the country’s top constitutional post.
Mokim spoke to the media after casting his vote in room number three. 54 in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
“I took such a decision as an Odia. When Dhriti’s daughter was contesting for the top post, I decided to vote for her. Many eminent persons called me and urged to support a tribal woman. In the absence of a whip, the legislators have the right to vote as per their wish. I have listened to my conscience and the people of Odisha will support my move. I will be proud if my vote ensures Murmu’s victory,” Mokim said.
Till 5 pm, voting was done by secret ballot in Parliament and state assemblies across the country.
State Congress President Sharat Patnaik said, “No whip was issued to the MLAs, but the party high command had clearly notified Yashwant Sinha as our candidate and everyone agreed to vote for him. The matter will be discussed and placed before the party high command. Whatever decision the high command takes, we will abide by the decision on this issue.”
Commenting on the matter, senior MLA and Congress Legislature Party leader Narsingh Mishra said, “Mokim, who voted against the party’s decision, has informed our high command. It will be probed and the party will take a final call on the matter.
Murmu is set to become the first tribal community’s president in a direct contest with Yashwant Sinha, as several non-NDA parties have come out in his support. He was born in a Santali family in Uparbeda village of Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
BJP MLA Jai Narayan Mishra said, ‘The decision taken by Mohammad Mokim is commendable. We welcome it. He has taken this decision keeping in view the interest of the state.
State ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Dhruv Sahu said, “We appealed to everyone to vote for Draupadi Murmu as the daughter of the soil. We congratulate and welcome it.”
The Congress has nine MLAs in the 147-member Odisha Assembly. BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had appealed to all the members of the assembly, across party lines, to unanimously support the “Daughter of Odisha”, Draupadi Murmu, to be elected to the country’s highest post.
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