Murmu set for easy win in Prez poll with BJD, YSRCP’s backing

NEW DELHI: Droupadi Murmu, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s nominee for the July 18 presidential elec- tion, is set for a comfortable vic- tory with parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Yuva- jana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) backing the former Jharkhand governor’s candidature.

The NDA has 49% or 532,351 of the 1,086,431 votes in the elect- oral college for the presidential election. BJD has 31,686 votes and YSRCP 45,550. The NDA’s tally includes the 14,940 votes of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Support of either BJD or YRSCP is enough for Murmu, who is set to be the first president of the country from a tribal community, to win.

The NDA is also banking on support from the Jharkhand Mukti Morch (JMM), a Scheduled Tribe (ST)-led party. JMM is likely to break ranks with the coalition of Opposition parties, which has named former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha as its candidate. Murmu belongs to the Santhal Tribe.

BJP leaders said parties such as Shiromani Akali Dal, Telugu Desam Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party are also likely to back Murmu. “There has been a very positive response to her nomination. Many leaders across party lines have appreciated the NDA’s decision to nominate a humble leader, who comes from an impoverished background and who has risen to great heights. It would not be a surprise if other parties considered anti-BJP also decide to support her,” said a BJP leader, requesting anonymity.

NDA was short of the required majority by about 10,865 votes and was counting on friendly parties such as BJD to support its nominee. YSRCP, which is outside the NDA fold, is also counted as a friendly party.

The BJP leader said the NDA may also get support from Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde-led camp, which has revolted against Maharashtra chief minister Udhav Thackeray and plunged his government into crisis.

The electoral college for the presidential election comprises 543 Lok Sabha, 233 Rajya Sabha and 4,033 members of legislative assemblies. The total value of the parliamentarians’ votes is 543,200, and that of assembly members 543,231, totalling 1,086,431.

The BJP has asked CMs of all the NDA-ruled states be present for Murmu’s nomination on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will accompany her for filing nomination. Two ministers from Odisha have also been deputed for the nomination.

NDA is the largest group in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but it still needs support from smaller parties and Independents to secure a win. The BJP is in power in 18 states. It has 532,351 out of 1,086,431 votes.

Odisha chief minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik asked all Odisha legislators to vote for Murmu across party lines and “...extend unanimous support to elect the daughter of Odisha...”

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s statement welcoming Murmu’s nomination has ended speculation about the impact of strained ties between the BJP and his Janata Dal (United) could have on the presidential election. Both have been sparring over the government’s new recruitment policy for the armed forces.

Kumar called it a matter of great pride and happiness that a tribal woman has been nominated. He said Prime Minister Modi had called and informed him about Murmu’s nomination.