Droupadi Murmu Set To Be Elected First Tribal Woman President Of India

New Delhi: Droupadi Murmu, the former governor of Jharkhand, is set to be elected as the next President of India.

The 64-year-old Murmu, who belongs to the Santhal community in Odisha was declared as the Presidential nominee of the BJP-led NDA on the night of June 21.

Her candidature was announced just hours after former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha was named the joint nominee of major Opposition parties including the Congress, TMC and NCP.

Murmu's election is almost certain given that the numbers are heavily stacked in favour of the ruling NDA alliance. Droupadi will be the first tribal woman to occupy the highest post in the country if she emerges victorious.

Her candidature was announced by BJP president J P Nadda after a meeting of the party's parliamentary board.

Her nomination seems to have put some of the opposition parties in a spot of bother, especially the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which derives its electoral strength from tribal votes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Murmu has "devoted her life to serving society" and said he is "confident she will be a great President".

"Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has devoted her life to serving society and empowering the poor, downtrodden as well as the marginalised. She has rich administrative experience and had an outstanding gubernatorial tenure. I am confident she will be a great President of our nation," PM Modi said via a twitter post.

"Millions of people, especially those who have experienced poverty and faced hardships, derive great strength from the life of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her understanding of policy matters and compassionate nature will greatly benefit our country," he said.

Notably, Droupadi Murmu happened to be a minister in Odisha when the BJP was in alliance with the BJD.

Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik said the announcement of her candidature was a "proud moment for the people" of the state.

"Congratulations Smt Draupadi Murmu on being announced as candidate of NDA for the country's highest office. I was delighted when Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi ji discussed this with me. It is indeed a proud moment for people of Odisha," Naveen Patnaik tweeted.

From Mayurbhanj, Murmu was a minister in Odisha when the BJP was in alliance with the BJD.

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