(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Droupadi Murmu has created history by becoming the first tribal to be elected as the President of India. She is also set to take office as only the second woman President of the country, after Pratibha Patil.
Candidate of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Murmu crossed the winning mark of more than 50% votes from the electoral college well before the counting ended. A formal announcement of her victory will be made after all the votes were counted.
The former Governor of Jharkhand will succeed outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind. “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the 15th President of India,” President Kovind tweeted.
Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) had voted for a new President on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with some senior members of his Cabinet and Bharatiya Janata Party chief J P Nadda, visited the residence of President-elect Murmu to congratulate her once it became clear that she had won.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Modi said, “India scripts history. At a time when 1.3 billion Indians are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President!
Congratulations to Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji on this feat.”
“Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji’s life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden.”
“Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has been an outstanding MLA and Minister. She had an excellent tenure as Jharkhand Governor. I am certain she will be an outstanding President who will lead from the front and strengthen India’s development journey.”
“I would like to thank all those MPs and MLAs across party lines who have supported the candidature of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her record victory augurs well for our democracy.”
Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha was also among those who congratulated Murmu on her victory.
(India News Network)
