Who is Draupadi Murmu? Read here about her feelings upon being chosen as NDA's presidential candidate

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jun 22, 2022 | Poonam Nath

'As a tribal woman from remote Mayurbhanj district, I had not taken into account running for President,' Draupadi Murmu said after becoming the ruling NDA's Presidential candidate.

Digital Desk: Draupadi Murmu retaliated towards becoming the ruling NDA's Presidential candidate on Tuesday (June 21, 2022), saying that the Narendra Modi-led government has now proven the BJP's slogan of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas" by selecting a tribal woman for the top post. 

Tribal leader-turned-governor, Draupadi Murmu, expressed surprise and delight after learning on television that she got nominated for the top post by the NDA.

According to the reports of a national news agency, Murmu reacted to her selection as she said, "I'm both happy and surprised. I had never considered running for the top position as a tribal lady from the isolated Mayurbhanj district. While giving the statement, she was at her Rairangpur residence in Odisha.

When asked about the outcome of winning over Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which now holds over 2.8% of electoral college votes for the upcoming presidential elections, Murmu responded that she is "optimistic about support from all members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly and MPs." 

She also said, "I am the daughter of the earth. As an Odia, I have the right to ask all members to support me."

Who is Draupadi Murmu?

Draupadi Murmu was born in 1958 and hailed from the Santhal region, Odisha. She started her political career in 1997 as a councilor in the Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. She progressed through the ranks to become a minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government in 2000 and then became the governor of Jharkhand in 2015.

Murmu, a two-term former Rairangpur MLA, kept her assembly seat in 2009 despite the BJD severing ties with the BJP weeks before the state polls, which Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's party won effortlessly.

Yashwant Sinha, a former Union minister, has been named the opposition's joint contender for the office.

On this account, PM Modi also wished Murmu after learning that she would represent the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in the July 18 presidential election; Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the former governor of Jharkhand. 

PM Modi stated that the life of Murmu inspires millions of people who have experienced adversity and that she will be a "wonderful President."

"Millions of people, especially those who have struggled with poverty and adversity, find immense inspiration in Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji's life. Her comprehension of policy issues and sympathetic attitude will benefit our nation, "PM Narendra Modi stated in a tweet.

Naveen Patnaik, the chief minister of Odisha, praised Draupadi Murmu and said it was a "great moment" for the citizens of his coastal state.

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