The Governor of Jharkhand, Smt. Draupadi Murmu meeting the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, in New Delhi on December 27, 2016.
NEW DELHI: With the BJP nominating Droupadi Murmu (64), a Santhal from Odisha, as its candidate for the top constitutional office, India may finally get its first tribal President.
JP Nadda, the BJP’s national president, announced Murmu’s candidacy after the party’s parliamentary board accepted what is widely seen as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s choice for Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“The life of Smt Droupadi Murmu Ji inspires millions of people, especially those who have struggled with poverty and adversity. “Her policy knowledge and compassionate disposition will tremendously help our country,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted.
If elected, Murmu will be the second woman President, following UPA-backed “Pratibha Patil” (2007-12).
With the BJP-led NDA, which is short of a majority in the electoral college, confident of making up the difference with regional players like BJD’s Naveen Patnaik and YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy — the chief ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, respectively — Murmu appears to be the frontrunner to succeed incumbent Ramnath Kovind, a Dalit from Uttar Pradesh, after the July 18 elections.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik quickly tweeted his support for NDA Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu, who had previously served in the BJD-BJP Odisha partnership. Patnaik tweeted, “It is definitely a proud occasion for the people of Odisha.” “I am confident that Smt Murmu would serve as a role model for women’s empowerment in the country.” BJD, according to observers, will be difficult to combat.
Aside from that, BJP officials are hoping for AIADMK backing. Nadda said that all NDA allies were contacted about Murmu’s candidacy, which is crucial given the fragile relationship between top JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
There has been discussion over what Kumar, who defected from the NDA in 2012 to support the United Progressive Alliance’s presidential nominee, late Pranab Mukherjee, may do. Recent events, such as the opposition’s initial unwillingness to enter the arena and the Shiv Sena’s split, are expected to exacerbate the opposition’s disadvantages and thwart its efforts to portray the election as an ideological battle.
Murmu checks a lot of boxes for the BJP as a candidate. The party’s message of the PM’s compassion for tribals, Dalits, and women is likely to be amplified by her nomination and likely elevation. In addition, the party has been eager to expand on the advances it has achieved in Odisha and West Bengal’s tribal areas, where the Congress has lost ground. She also fits into a trend in which the BJP has used its selections for Rashtrapati Bhavan to convey political messages.
B L Santosh, the party’s general secretary, emphasised the effort by posting photos of Murmu alongside those of President Ram Nath Kovind and former President A P J Abdul Kalam. “The BJP had three opportunities to select presidential candidates as members of the NDA.
B L Santosh, the party’s general secretary, highlighted the effort by tweeting photos of Murmu alongside those of Kovind and A P J Abdul Kalam. “There were three times when the BJP, as part of the NDA, had the option of selecting presidential candidates. It was inclusive, appreciative of difference, and chose small town and self-made people on all three occasions. When you’re motivated by a vision, your decisions will mirror that vision.”
Patnaik was also pleased with the NDA’s choice. “Droupadi Murmu has been announced as the NDA’s nominee for the country’s highest position. When Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi ji discussed this with me, I was ecstatic. It is, without a doubt, a proud moment for the people of Odisha “He sent out a tweet.
Dharmendra Pradhan, an Odisha-born education minister, said, “Odisha’s Droupadi Murmu has been named the NDA’s presidential candidate, which is a source of pride for our state. She comes from a tribal background and has dedicated her life to helping the poor and needy.”
“After extensive negotiations with the NDA partners, the party decided on Murmu’s name. After the BJP Parliamentary Board discussed about 20 probable candidates, there was agreement on her candidacy “Nadda stated shortly after the meeting, which was held in the presence of Prime Minister Modi.
The BJP president claimed that he and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had engaged opposition parties for a consensus candidate after being authorised by the party. “We had no choice because the UPA-led opposition had already declared its candidate,” Nadda said, adding that “we had attempted for a consensus, which may have been a good step.” With only 2% of the vote, the BJP has strengthened its position by fielding Murmu, an Odisha native, who will make it easier for the saffron party to persuade BJD president and state CM Naveen Patnaik to vote for its nominee.
Patnaik has been a strong advocate for women’s rights, with his party fielding a record number of female candidates in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
