Droupadi Murmu named as BJP’s prez candidate; NPP endorses

New Delhi, June 21: The BJP on Tuesday named Droupadi Murmu, a tribal leader of the party from Odisha, as the ruling NDA’s candidate for the presidential election, sending out a significant political message after elevating a Dalit, Ram Nath Kovind, to the top post five years back.
BJP president JP Nadda announced her name following a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board, which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. Murmu, a former Jharkhand governor, will be the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post if she is elected.
The poll is slated for July 18.
Chief Minister and NPP national president, Conrad Sangma said his party would support the NDA presidential candidate. “It was a long cherished dream of my father P A Sangma to have a tribal President for our country. My best wishes to her,” Conrad said. (Agencies)