Droupadi Murmu: India’s first Santal president
History was scripted today when Droupadi Murmu, the candidate of India's ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, was elected the country's new president becoming the first tribal leader to occupy the highest constitutional office.
Murmu (64), crossed the 50 percent mark after the third round of counting of votes to emerge victorious in the poll over her rival Yashwant Sinha, the joint opposition nominee and a former BJP leader, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
An official announcement on her win is expected after all votes are counted in the presidential poll held on July 18.
The total number of valid votes is 3,219. Out of this, Droupadi Murmu got 2,161 votes while Yashwant Sinha got 1,058 votes, said Returning Officer PC Mody, also secretary general of the Rajya Sabha.
In every round of counting so far, Murmu, a Santal, received more than two-third of the votes cast by elected members of both houses of parliament—the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha—and members of legislative assemblies in the states through secret ballots.
Sources said 17 MPs from opposition parties have cross-voted in Murmu's support.
"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," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
He said Murmu "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."
According to Modi, Droupadi Murmu'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."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose party Trinamool Congress had backed Yashwant Sinha as the presidential candidate, congratulated Murmu on her victory.
Mamata said India would sincerely look up to Murmu as the "Head of State to protect the ideals of the Constitution and as the custodian of our democracy".
Celebrations erupted in tribal-dominated Jharkhand state this evening as people danced to the beats of 'dhaak' following the victory of Droupadi Murmu who was the state's Governor between 2016 and 2021.
Revellers hit the streets in Jharkhand capital city Ranchi and other parts of the state with traditional instruments, playing tribal tunes and dancing to those, besides distributing sweets and playing colours.
Tribals comprise 27 percent of Jharkhand's population and influence the state's politics and policy.
Jharkhand is home to people of 32 tribal groups including Santals. Among the other groups are Munda, Oraon, Kharia, Gond, Ho, Paharia and Asur.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren also congratulated Murmu on her win.