Soon after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA announced former Governor of Jharkhand Droupadi Murmu as its presidential candidate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is confident that she will be a great President.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, "Droupadi Murmu has devoted her life to serving society and empowering the poor, the downtrodden as well as the marginalised. She has rich administrative experience and had an outstanding gubernatorial tenure. I am confident she will be a great President of our nation."
"Millions of people, especially those who have experienced poverty and faced hardships, derive great strength from the life of Droupadi Murmu. Her understanding of policy matters and compassionate nature will greatly benefit our country," PM Modi said.
Murmu will face opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha in the presidential contest on July 18. If elected, she will be the first tribal President of India and country's second female President.
Droupadi Murmu is the first presidential candidate from Odisha of a major political party or alliance. She continues to break barriers and was the first woman governor of Jharkhand. She served as Jharkhand Governor from 2015 to 2021.
Born in a poor tribal family in a village of Mayurbhanj, a backward district in Odisha, Droupadi Murmu completed her studies despite challenging circumstances. She taught at Shri Aurobindo integral Education Centre, Rairangpur.
Born on June 20, 1958, she pursued BA at Ramadevi Women's College Bhubaneswar.
She started her political career as Rairangpur NAC vice-chairman. Droupadi Murmu was member of Odisha Legislative Assembly from Rairangpur between 2000 and 2004. As a minister, she held portfolios of Transport and Commerce, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. She again served as MLA in the Odisha assembly from 2004 to 2009.
In 2007, Odisha assembly honoured her with 'Nilakantha Award' for best MLA.
(ANI)