Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik appeals to his state MLAs to support Draupadi Murmu in Prez polls
Former Jharkhand governor Draupadi Murmu, 64, is the first tribal woman candidate to be named as a presidential candidate.
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New Delhi, June 23: Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik has asked for support for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA's presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu and appealed to all his state MLAs to extend their support to the state’s daughter.
"Appeal all the members of Odisha Legislative Assembly, cutting across party lines, to extend unanimous support to elect the daughter of Odisha - Smt Draupadi Murmu to the country’s highest office," Patnaik wrote in a tweet.
On June 21, NDA announced the former Governor of Jharkhand Draupadi Murmu’s name as its Presidential candidate for the upcoming elections scheduled for July 18, 2022. Before the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed a BJP Parliamentary Board meeting. BJP Chief JP Nadda announced Murmu’s candidature in a press conference following the board meeting. She will file her nomination on June 25.
Soon after JP Nadda announced Murmu's name, the Odisha CM congratulated his fellow citizen. Patnaik said he was "delighted" when PM Modi discussed Murmu’s candidature with him. It should be noted that Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal is the first non-NDA party to extend support to the NDA candidate in the Presidential elections to be held in July 2022.
"It is indeed a proud moment for the people of Odisha. I am sure Murmu will set a shining example of women empowerment in the country," Patnaik wrote last night on Twitter.
In 2015, Murmu was sworn in as the first woman Governor of Jharkhand. She was also the first woman and tribal leader from Odisha to be appointed as Governor of an Indian state. Talking about her personal life, Murmu has battled multiple personal challenges. She lost her two sons and husband to personal tragedies. She single-handedly took care of her daughter’s education and upbringing.
For unreserved, Murmu was also considered for the post during the 2017 presidential elections. However, then Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind was named as the government's choice for the post.