NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu has made history by winning the election with ease. She will be the first tribal to hold the highest office. With her victory, the Modi government has tried to mobilise support among 100 million people who belong to tribal communities
Our Bureau
New Delhi
In a major symbolic victory for India’s tribals, the NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was officially declared as the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday. Murmu received 2,824 votes with a value 6,76,803 while her opponent Yashwant Sinha secured 1,877 votes with a value 3,80,177. A total of 4,809 MPs and MLAs cast their votes in the polling that took place on July 18.
Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and the Returning Officer for Presidential Election 2022, PC Mody handed over the certificate to President-elect Droupadi Murmu at her residence in Delhi.
Murmu is the first tribal to be elected to the highest office. She will be the second women president of India.
Soon after the completion of the third round of counting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nadda met Murmu at her residence in the national capital and extended greetings for her victory.
Wishes poured in from the political fraternity on Thursday as Murmu won the Presidential election and is set to be the 15th President of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president JP Nadda went to meet Murmu at her residence this evening after the conclusion of the third round of the counting of votes which ensured her victory. Shah, while congratulating Murmu, said that her victory is a “milestone” in the empowerment of tribal society.
“Coming from a very common tribal family, NDA candidate Smt. Draupadi Murmu ji’s election as the President of India is a moment of great pride for the whole country, I congratulate her. This victory is a milestone in the direction of realizing the resolve of Antyodaya and the empowerment of tribal society,” Shah tweeted in Hindi.
The Home Minister further said that she has reached the highest position in the country after “fighting against the odd circumstances” which shows the “power of our democracy”.
“Smt Draupadi Murmu ji has reached this highest position of the country today after fighting against the odd circumstances, it shows the immense power of our democracy. Even after so many struggles, the selfless spirit with which she devoted herself in the service of the country and society is inspiring for all,” Shah tweeted.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Murmu on the victory and said that her rising from the poor and underprivileged position to the “highest constitutional position” is proof of the “strength of Indian democracy”.
“Congratulations to Smt Draupadi Murmu ji for registering an effective victory in the Presidential election. She has been active for public welfare in villages, poor, underprivileged as well as in slums. Today she has risen from among them to the highest constitutional position. This is proof of the strength of Indian democracy,” Singh tweeted in Hindi.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who also reached the residence of Murmu, extended greetings and said that her role in giving “voice to hopes” and is “exemplary”.
“Hearty Congratulations to Smt. Draupadi Murmu ji on being elected as the President of India. Your role in giving voice to hopes & aspirations of people is exemplary. I hope under your able guidance, people of our country will make a leading contribution in building a New India,” Birla tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended best wishes to Murmu and tweeted, “Congratulations and best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji on being elected as the 15th President of India”.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who had extended support to Murmu’s candidature, also congratulated her on the victory and said that she will prove to be an efficient president. “Hearty congratulations and many best wishes to Draupadi Murmu, a woman of the exploited and very backward tribal society, on being elected today with huge votes in the election for the post of President of the country. She will prove to be an efficient and successful President, the country hopes such,” Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.
“Being the first woman presidential candidate of ST category in the country, BSP rose above party politics and gave her support and vote. Now the government should cooperate with them in fulfilling their responsibilities according to the right intention of the constitution so that the public expectation is fulfilled and the country’s prestige increases immensely,” she added.
Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday joined folk artists as they performed a tribal dance to celebrate National Democratic Alliance (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu’s lead against the Opposition’s Yashwant Sinha after the end of the second round of counting.
Odisha is the native state of Pradhan. Folk artists and tribal community from Odisha living in Delhi gathered at Pradhan’s residence on Thursday to celebrate Murmu’s anticipated victory. They performed traditional dance and played dholak.
Speaking to reporters, the Union minister said, “The nation is going to create history. The 15th President will be officially announced shortly. Nobody has any doubt in mind. Daughter of a tribal family coming from a very ordinary house in Odisha, Droupadi Murmu will be elected as the President.”
“There is immense joy among the deprived section of society, tribals, women and eastern India that for the first time the true meaning of democracy is coming to the fore. A leader from such a background will reach the nation’s highest post. It is an achievement for democracy,” added Pradhan.
Wishes poured in from the political and film fraternity on Thursday as Droupadi Murmu won the Presidential election.
Celebrations have been ongoing among her supporters since the announcement was made. Following her win, celebrities took to their social media handles to send their best wishes to India’s first tribal president. Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut shared a heartfelt message for Murmu on Instagram Stories.
Kangana Ranaut has been supporting Murmu ever since her name was announced as a nominee. She took to her Instagram stories and wrote, “India’s 15th President-Draupadi Murmu (1st person from tribal background to reach the highest position in the nation), 2nd woman President of India, Congratulations Madam President, #DroupadiMurmu.”
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia also shared a picture of ‘Madame President’ and wrote, “Congratulations #DraupadiMurmu- the 2nd female President of India. Empowered Women, empower the nation. #womenpower.”
Bollywood diva Anushka Sharma congratulated ‘Madam President’, as she shared a picture of the newly elected President and wrote, “Congratulations Madam President”.
Odisha’s Rairangpur village, the native place of NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu erupted in celebrations in anticipation of Droupadi Murmu’s victory.
A large crowd gathered outside BJP Headquarters in Delhi earlier this evening to celebrate Murmu’s victory. Droupadi Murmu getting elected as the 15th President of India is an inspiration for everyone, her brother Tarinisen Tudu said on Thursday as he expressed his happiness over the outcome of the Presidential election.
The election of Murmu seems to have energised the tribal communities across the country, whose total population across the country stands close to 100 million. After reaching out to the tribals during the presidential campaign, the BJP led NDA is now trying to use the election for the post of vice president to mobilise the farmers groups.
On Monday, shortly after National Democratic Alliance Vice Presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar filed his nomination on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence that Dhankar will be an excellent and inspiring Vice President. “Not even in my dreams did I think that a common man like me would be given such an opportunity. A farmer’s son has filed his nomination today…Grateful to PM Modi and the leadership for this opportunity,” said Dhankhar after filing his nomination.
His name was announced for the second top constitutional post by BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday.JP Nadda said Dhankhar was a “Kisan-Putra” (son of a farmer) who has established himself as a “people’s governor”. Nadda also urged all the parties including UPA allies to support the NDA vice presidential candidate.
Dhankhar, who is a lawyer by profession, entered into politics in 1989. He became the governor of West Bengal in July 2019 and has made headlines since then over his tumultuous relations with the Mamata Banerjee government.
The Modi government has succeeded in putting its candidate in the presidential office. Now, it is gearing up to make sure they win the vice-president’s post too.
