Tag: Droupadi Murmu

  • Murmu highlights India’s success story in maiden address to nation 

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu in her maiden address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day talked about India’s vibrant democracy, success story of Covid vaccines, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the growth of the country’s economy after the pandemic.

    The President on Sunday said that it is a cause of celebration “not only for all of us but also for every advocate of democracy around the world”.

    “When India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were sceptical about the success of democratic form of government in India. They had their reasons to be doubtful. In those days, democracy was limited to economically advanced nations. India, after so many years of exploitation at the hands of foreign rulers, was marked by poverty and illiteracy. But we Indians proved the skeptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” the President said.

    Murmu said that ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ festival is dedicated to the people of India.

    “Based on the success achieved by the people, the resolve to build ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is also a part of this Mahotsav. Citizens from all age-groups have keenly participated in a series of events held across the country,” she added.

    Talking about the vaccine success story that the country has achieved, President Murmu said: “The world has seen a new India rising in recent years, more so after the outbreak of Covid-19. Our response to the pandemic has been appreciated everywhere. We launched the biggest vaccination drive in human history with vaccines manufactured in the country itself.

    “Last month, we crossed the 200-crore mark in cumulative vaccine coverage. In combating the pandemic, our achievements have been better than those of many developed countries. For this feat, we are grateful to our scientists, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the staff associated with vaccination.”

    She said the pandemic has uprooted lives and also economies in the entire world.

    ALSO READ | Taste of independence

    “When the world has been battling the economic consequences of the great crisis, India got its act together and is now moving forward. India is among the fastest growing major economies in the world. India’s start-up eco-system ranks high in the world. The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress.

    “The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish. During the last few years, unprecedented progress has been made in the development of physical and digital infrastructure,” she added.

    The President said: “The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress. The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish.”

    Murmu also talked about India’s achievement in the Commonwealth Games saying that a large number of our winners come from underprivileged segments of society.

    “Our daughters are the biggest hope for the nation. Some of them brought laurels for the country at the recently held Commonwealth Games. Of course, India’s sportspersons have been making the country proud by their performance in international competitions,” she added.

    In her maiden speech, the President said that the keyword for India today is compassion; for the downtrodden, for the needy and for those on the margins.

    “Some of our national values have been incorporated in our Constitution as the fundamental duties of the citizens. I appeal to every citizen to know about their fundamental duties and follow them in letter and spirit so that our nation reaches new heights,” she added.

    She also quoted the iconic Kannada poet Kuvempu in her first address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day to urge the youth to make a total sacrifice for the motherland and upliftment of fellow citizens, as they intend to build the country of 2047.

    NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu in her maiden address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day talked about India’s vibrant democracy, success story of Covid vaccines, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the growth of the country’s economy after the pandemic.

    The President on Sunday said that it is a cause of celebration “not only for all of us but also for every advocate of democracy around the world”.

    “When India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were sceptical about the success of democratic form of government in India. They had their reasons to be doubtful. In those days, democracy was limited to economically advanced nations. India, after so many years of exploitation at the hands of foreign rulers, was marked by poverty and illiteracy. But we Indians proved the skeptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” the President said.

    Murmu said that ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ festival is dedicated to the people of India.

    “Based on the success achieved by the people, the resolve to build ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is also a part of this Mahotsav. Citizens from all age-groups have keenly participated in a series of events held across the country,” she added.

    Talking about the vaccine success story that the country has achieved, President Murmu said: “The world has seen a new India rising in recent years, more so after the outbreak of Covid-19. Our response to the pandemic has been appreciated everywhere. We launched the biggest vaccination drive in human history with vaccines manufactured in the country itself.

    “Last month, we crossed the 200-crore mark in cumulative vaccine coverage. In combating the pandemic, our achievements have been better than those of many developed countries. For this feat, we are grateful to our scientists, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the staff associated with vaccination.”

    She said the pandemic has uprooted lives and also economies in the entire world.

    ALSO READ | Taste of independence

    “When the world has been battling the economic consequences of the great crisis, India got its act together and is now moving forward. India is among the fastest growing major economies in the world. India’s start-up eco-system ranks high in the world. The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress.

    “The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish. During the last few years, unprecedented progress has been made in the development of physical and digital infrastructure,” she added.

    The President said: “The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress. The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish.”

    Murmu also talked about India’s achievement in the Commonwealth Games saying that a large number of our winners come from underprivileged segments of society.

    “Our daughters are the biggest hope for the nation. Some of them brought laurels for the country at the recently held Commonwealth Games. Of course, India’s sportspersons have been making the country proud by their performance in international competitions,” she added.

    In her maiden speech, the President said that the keyword for India today is compassion; for the downtrodden, for the needy and for those on the margins.

    “Some of our national values have been incorporated in our Constitution as the fundamental duties of the citizens. I appeal to every citizen to know about their fundamental duties and follow them in letter and spirit so that our nation reaches new heights,” she added.

    She also quoted the iconic Kannada poet Kuvempu in her first address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day to urge the youth to make a total sacrifice for the motherland and upliftment of fellow citizens, as they intend to build the country of 2047.

  • President Droupadi Murmu to address nation today

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu will address the nation on Sunday on the eve of 76th Independence Day. Droupadi Murmu was elected President last month.

    The address will be broadcast from 7 pm on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version.

    The broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by a broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15.

    People are enthusiastically taking part in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.

    The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign commenced on Saturday and will run till August 15.

    ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.

    The programme envisages inspiring Indians everywhere to hoist the national flag at their homes. The aim of the programme is to make the relationship with the national flag a more personal one rather than just keeping it formal or institutional.

    Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of India’s people, culture and achievements.

    This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

    The official journey of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced on March 12, 2021, which started a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of independence.

    Last month, Prime Minister Modi launched the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence. The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Culture said.

    He also urged the people of India to hoist the tricolour at their homes between August 13 to 15 to celebrate the 75th Independence Day.

    PM Modi on Friday shared pictures of people taking Tiranga rallies from all over India. Sharing a photo in which hundreds of people took out a Tiranga march, PM Modi said: “This is a great collective effort by the people of Visakhapatnam. I admire the enthusiasm towards #HarGharTiranga.”

    The Prime Minister on Saturday urged citizens of the country to share a photo with the Tiranga on the Har Ghar Tiranga website to mark the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

    He had also urged the people to hoist the tricolour at their homes between August 13 and 15 to celebrate the 75th Independence Day.

    Earlier, Indian citizens were not allowed to hoist the National Flag except on selected occasions. This changed after a decade-long legal battle by industrialist Naveen Jindal culminated in the landmark SC judgement of January 23, 2004, that declared that the right to fly the National Flag freely with respect and dignity is a fundamental right of an Indian citizen within the meaning of Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India.

    Lauding the Centre and PM Modi for the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, Naveen Jindal has urged every Indian to make ‘Har Din Tiranga’ their motto. 

    NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu will address the nation on Sunday on the eve of 76th Independence Day. Droupadi Murmu was elected President last month.

    The address will be broadcast from 7 pm on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version.

    The broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by a broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15.

    People are enthusiastically taking part in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.

    The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign commenced on Saturday and will run till August 15.

    ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.

    The programme envisages inspiring Indians everywhere to hoist the national flag at their homes. The aim of the programme is to make the relationship with the national flag a more personal one rather than just keeping it formal or institutional.

    Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of India’s people, culture and achievements.

    This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

    The official journey of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced on March 12, 2021, which started a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of independence.

    Last month, Prime Minister Modi launched the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence. The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Culture said.

    He also urged the people of India to hoist the tricolour at their homes between August 13 to 15 to celebrate the 75th Independence Day.

    PM Modi on Friday shared pictures of people taking Tiranga rallies from all over India. Sharing a photo in which hundreds of people took out a Tiranga march, PM Modi said: “This is a great collective effort by the people of Visakhapatnam. I admire the enthusiasm towards #HarGharTiranga.”

    The Prime Minister on Saturday urged citizens of the country to share a photo with the Tiranga on the Har Ghar Tiranga website to mark the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

    He had also urged the people to hoist the tricolour at their homes between August 13 and 15 to celebrate the 75th Independence Day.

    Earlier, Indian citizens were not allowed to hoist the National Flag except on selected occasions. This changed after a decade-long legal battle by industrialist Naveen Jindal culminated in the landmark SC judgement of January 23, 2004, that declared that the right to fly the National Flag freely with respect and dignity is a fundamental right of an Indian citizen within the meaning of Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India.

    Lauding the Centre and PM Modi for the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, Naveen Jindal has urged every Indian to make ‘Har Din Tiranga’ their motto. 

  • Suresh N Patel sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel was on Wednesday sworn in as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, a communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

    He made and subscribed the oath of his office before President Droupadi Murmu, it said.

    President Droupadi Murmu today administered the Oath of Office to the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Suresh N Patel at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi pic.twitter.com/KPCOpEJyau
    — ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2022
    Last month news agencies reported that Patel, who has been working as acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), was likely to be appointed as the chief of the probity watchdog Central Vigilance Commission.

    NEW DELHI: Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel was on Wednesday sworn in as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, a communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

    He made and subscribed the oath of his office before President Droupadi Murmu, it said.

    President Droupadi Murmu today administered the Oath of Office to the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Suresh N Patel at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi pic.twitter.com/KPCOpEJyau
    — ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2022
    Last month news agencies reported that Patel, who has been working as acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), was likely to be appointed as the chief of the probity watchdog Central Vigilance Commission.

  • Curtain rises for Droupadi Murmu as India’s 15th President; swearing-in to have tribal touch

    By Online Desk

    NEW DELHI: Elaborate arrangements are in place for the swearing-in of Droupadi Murmu – India’s first tribal woman president, in the Central Hall of Parliament on Monday.

    The President-elect will be sworn-in as the 15th President of India.

    President Ram Nath Kovind and President-elect Droupadi Murmu will arrive in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession. The President-elect will take the Oath of Office in the presence of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, followed by a 21-gun salute. 

    The term of President Ram Nath Kovind comes to an end on Sunday. Murmu will be the first member of the tribal community and the second woman to hold the top constitutional post in the country.

    Murmu was the first woman governor of Jharkhand and served in the post 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. She has also served as a minister in Odisha.

    Special saree 

    Murmu may wear a traditional Santali saree when she takes the oath of office in Delhi on Monday. Her sister-in-law Sukri Tudu is travelling to Delhi with a special saree used by Santal women in Eastern India.

    Sukri along with her husband Tarinisen Tudu on Saturday left for the national capital to witness the oath taking ceremony to be held at the Parliament’s central hall.

    “I am not sure what she will actually wear during the occasion. The Rashtrapati Bhawan will decide the dress of the new president,” Sukri said.

    The Santali sarees have some stripe-work on one end and is worn by the Santal women on special occasions. The saree is vertically symmetric and has both the ends designed with the same motifs.

    She is also carrying traditional sweet pancakes, also called ‘Arisa Pitha’ for Murmu.

    Meanwhile, Murmu’s daughter Itishree, a bank officer and her husband Ganesh Hembram, have reached New Delhi and are staying with the President-elect.

    “Only four members of the President-elect’s family – brother, sister-in-law, daughter and son-in-law – will attend the oath-taking ceremony,” said a senior BJP leader adding that essence of ‘adivasi’ culture and tradition could be reflected in the swearing-in of the country’s 15th President.

    Why July 25 holds special role? 

    Droupadi Murmu will become the 10th successive president to take oath on July 25 since 1977. Records show that since 1977, successive presidents have taken oath on July 25.

    India’s first President Rajendra Prasad took oath on January 26, 1950 — the day India became a Republic.

    In 1952, he went on to win the first presidential poll. He won the second presidential election and was in office till May 1962.

    Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan took oath as the president on May 13, 1962 and was in office till May 13, 1967.

    Two presidents — Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed — could not complete their tenures as they died in harness. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the sixth president of India, took oath on July 25, 1977.

    Since then successive presidents including Giani Zail Singh, R Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, K R Narayanan, A P J Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil, Pranab Mukherjee and Ram Nath Kovind have taken oath on July 25.

    Hopes of tribals 

    Hopes and aspirations are running high among tribal of Jharkhand as they look up to Droupadi Murmu to pave the way for their ‘sengel’ (empowerment) after “centuries of neglect”.

    They are also optimistic that Murmu would take steps to fructify a long-standing demand by tribals that the Centre recognise their religion as ‘Sarna’ and ensure enumeration under this category in the next census.

    Conclusion of the ceremony 

    The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was officially declared as the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday.

    The President will then deliver an address. On the conclusion of the ceremony, the President will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an Inter-Services Guard of Honour will be given to her in the forecourt and courtesies will be extended to the outgoing President.

    According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and members of the Council of Ministers, state Governors, Chief Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of Parliament and principal civil and military Officers of the government of India will assemble in the Central Hall for the ceremony on Monday.

    Earlier, BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday along with his party MPs met President-elect Droupadi Murmu here and congratulated her on winning the election.

    (With inputs from agencies)

    NEW DELHI: Elaborate arrangements are in place for the swearing-in of Droupadi Murmu – India’s first tribal woman president, in the Central Hall of Parliament on Monday.

    The President-elect will be sworn-in as the 15th President of India.

    President Ram Nath Kovind and President-elect Droupadi Murmu will arrive in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession. The President-elect will take the Oath of Office in the presence of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, followed by a 21-gun salute. 

    The term of President Ram Nath Kovind comes to an end on Sunday. Murmu will be the first member of the tribal community and the second woman to hold the top constitutional post in the country.

    Murmu was the first woman governor of Jharkhand and served in the post 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. She has also served as a minister in Odisha.

    Special saree 

    Murmu may wear a traditional Santali saree when she takes the oath of office in Delhi on Monday. Her sister-in-law Sukri Tudu is travelling to Delhi with a special saree used by Santal women in Eastern India.

    Sukri along with her husband Tarinisen Tudu on Saturday left for the national capital to witness the oath taking ceremony to be held at the Parliament’s central hall.

    “I am not sure what she will actually wear during the occasion. The Rashtrapati Bhawan will decide the dress of the new president,” Sukri said.

    The Santali sarees have some stripe-work on one end and is worn by the Santal women on special occasions. The saree is vertically symmetric and has both the ends designed with the same motifs.

    She is also carrying traditional sweet pancakes, also called ‘Arisa Pitha’ for Murmu.

    Meanwhile, Murmu’s daughter Itishree, a bank officer and her husband Ganesh Hembram, have reached New Delhi and are staying with the President-elect.

    “Only four members of the President-elect’s family – brother, sister-in-law, daughter and son-in-law – will attend the oath-taking ceremony,” said a senior BJP leader adding that essence of ‘adivasi’ culture and tradition could be reflected in the swearing-in of the country’s 15th President.

    Why July 25 holds special role? 

    Droupadi Murmu will become the 10th successive president to take oath on July 25 since 1977. Records show that since 1977, successive presidents have taken oath on July 25.

    India’s first President Rajendra Prasad took oath on January 26, 1950 — the day India became a Republic.

    In 1952, he went on to win the first presidential poll. He won the second presidential election and was in office till May 1962.

    Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan took oath as the president on May 13, 1962 and was in office till May 13, 1967.

    Two presidents — Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed — could not complete their tenures as they died in harness. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the sixth president of India, took oath on July 25, 1977.

    Since then successive presidents including Giani Zail Singh, R Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, K R Narayanan, A P J Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil, Pranab Mukherjee and Ram Nath Kovind have taken oath on July 25.

    Hopes of tribals 

    Hopes and aspirations are running high among tribal of Jharkhand as they look up to Droupadi Murmu to pave the way for their ‘sengel’ (empowerment) after “centuries of neglect”.

    They are also optimistic that Murmu would take steps to fructify a long-standing demand by tribals that the Centre recognise their religion as ‘Sarna’ and ensure enumeration under this category in the next census.

    Conclusion of the ceremony 

    The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was officially declared as the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday.

    The President will then deliver an address. On the conclusion of the ceremony, the President will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an Inter-Services Guard of Honour will be given to her in the forecourt and courtesies will be extended to the outgoing President.

    According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and members of the Council of Ministers, state Governors, Chief Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of Parliament and principal civil and military Officers of the government of India will assemble in the Central Hall for the ceremony on Monday.

    Earlier, BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday along with his party MPs met President-elect Droupadi Murmu here and congratulated her on winning the election.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • Not sure if we could still address Droupadi Murmu informally, say friends back home

    By PTI

    RAIRANGPUR: With Droupadi Murmu set to take oath as the first tribal President of the country on Monday, her neighbours and friends back home are confused over how to address their amigo the next time they meet her.

    Ramachandra Murmu, a farmer of Uparbeda village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, said everyone in the president-elect’s hometown is proud of her achievements, “but I am not sure if I should use ‘tu’ (informal address) or ‘aap’ (address with respect) when we talk next”.

    Ramachandra, who was her classmate in Government Upper Primary School in Uparbeda, recalled that the two would often shared food from the same plate on the school campus.

    “We all took part in sporting activities together. All these year, I have used ‘tu’ to address her. Things have changed now. I am not sure if I can use ‘tu’ for the first citizen of India. How can a farmer be on equal terms with the President,” he said, taking a break from his fieldwork.

    Talking more about Murmu, he said, “Her family had landed property, which did not generate revenue. She was a simple and amicable girl who wore the same frock to school.”

    Another friend, Govind Majhi, said that he had last met Murmu when she was the governor of Jharkhand “She had visited my home as the governor of Jharkhand, Back then, we conversed like we always did. She is a very down-to-earth person. There was no formality involved. Now, however, I am not so sure. I don’t know if I could talk informally with the country’s president,” he said.

    Majhi also looked back on their school days with fondness, and said, “She was among the brightest students in school. I had to drop out due to poverty. She would often invite me to her home for lunch. I remember having ‘pakhal bhaat’ at her place.”

    ALSO READ | 21 gun salute, Santali saree for swearing-in: Droupadi Murmu to take oath as President on Monday

    Born to a Santhal family in 1958, Murmu studied in Government Upper Primary School in Uparbeda till Class 7 and then moved to Bhubaneswar Government Girl’s High School.

    She graduated from Ramadevi Women’s College.

    Her college mate, Suchitra Samal, said the president-elect was the same person that she was when they met the first time.

    “I was pleasantly surprised when she called me two days ago. I wasn’t expecting a call from her amid her busy schedule. I had wished her earlier on her success,” Samal said.

    Samal along with Dangi Murmu had visited Droupadi at Jharkhand Raj Bhavan some years ago.

    “We had a fun time reminiscing old days. We talked a lot, teased each other and shared updates from our lives. Droupadi was her usual, cool and composed self,” said Dangi.

    Samal hopes to get an invitation from the Rashtrapati Bhavan soon.

    “Let her settle down, we will go and meet her there,” she added.

    RAIRANGPUR: With Droupadi Murmu set to take oath as the first tribal President of the country on Monday, her neighbours and friends back home are confused over how to address their amigo the next time they meet her.

    Ramachandra Murmu, a farmer of Uparbeda village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, said everyone in the president-elect’s hometown is proud of her achievements, “but I am not sure if I should use ‘tu’ (informal address) or ‘aap’ (address with respect) when we talk next”.

    Ramachandra, who was her classmate in Government Upper Primary School in Uparbeda, recalled that the two would often shared food from the same plate on the school campus.

    “We all took part in sporting activities together. All these year, I have used ‘tu’ to address her. Things have changed now. I am not sure if I can use ‘tu’ for the first citizen of India. How can a farmer be on equal terms with the President,” he said, taking a break from his fieldwork.

    Talking more about Murmu, he said, “Her family had landed property, which did not generate revenue. She was a simple and amicable girl who wore the same frock to school.”

    Another friend, Govind Majhi, said that he had last met Murmu when she was the governor of Jharkhand “She had visited my home as the governor of Jharkhand, Back then, we conversed like we always did. She is a very down-to-earth person. There was no formality involved. Now, however, I am not so sure. I don’t know if I could talk informally with the country’s president,” he said.

    Majhi also looked back on their school days with fondness, and said, “She was among the brightest students in school. I had to drop out due to poverty. She would often invite me to her home for lunch. I remember having ‘pakhal bhaat’ at her place.”

    ALSO READ | 21 gun salute, Santali saree for swearing-in: Droupadi Murmu to take oath as President on Monday

    Born to a Santhal family in 1958, Murmu studied in Government Upper Primary School in Uparbeda till Class 7 and then moved to Bhubaneswar Government Girl’s High School.

    She graduated from Ramadevi Women’s College.

    Her college mate, Suchitra Samal, said the president-elect was the same person that she was when they met the first time.

    “I was pleasantly surprised when she called me two days ago. I wasn’t expecting a call from her amid her busy schedule. I had wished her earlier on her success,” Samal said.

    Samal along with Dangi Murmu had visited Droupadi at Jharkhand Raj Bhavan some years ago.

    “We had a fun time reminiscing old days. We talked a lot, teased each other and shared updates from our lives. Droupadi was her usual, cool and composed self,” said Dangi.

    Samal hopes to get an invitation from the Rashtrapati Bhavan soon.

    “Let her settle down, we will go and meet her there,” she added.

  • Prez poll: Yashwant Sinha lauds Murmu; says issues he raised during campaign remain pertinent

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha congratulated the 15th president-elect Droupadi Murmu on Thursday stating that as the 15th President of the Republic India hopes she would function as the “Custodian of the Constitution” without fear or favour.

    In a statement issued after Murmu’s victory, Sinha thanked the Opposition political parties for choosing him as their consensus candidate in the presidential election and the members of the Electoral College who voted for him.

    “I accepted the offer of Opposition parties solely guided by the philosophy of Karma Yoga preached by Lord Krishna in the Bhagwat Gita–“Do your duty without expectation of the fruit thereof”.I performed my duty conscientiously out of my love for my country and the issues I raised during my campaign remain pertinent”, Sinha said.

    He further said that his candidature benefited Indian democracy in two important ways. “First, it brought most Opposition parties on a common platform. This is indeed the need of the hour and second I tried to highlight the views, concerns, and commitment of the Opposition parties on major issues before the nation and the common people”, he said.

    He further claimed that during his campaign he voiced strong concern over the blatant and rampant weaponization of ED, CBI, Income tax department, and even the office of Governor against Opposition Parties and their leaders.

    “These institutions are also being misused to engineer defections and topple Opposition-run state governments. India has never seen political corruption of such magnitude”, Sinha remarked in a statement even after being defeated in the presidential election.

    He vented his discontent with the Modi government, and further said that coupled with the poisonous politics of polarization, poses a grave danger to democracy and communal harmony in India.

    “I’m happy that my views found strong resonance among the CMs, leaders, MPs, and MLAs belonging to Opposition parties in all states I visited. I pledge that till the last breath in my body, I shall continue to serve the cause I believe in the very cause that guided me to contest the election for the highest office of the Republic”, he said in the last of his statement.

    NEW DELHI: Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha congratulated the 15th president-elect Droupadi Murmu on Thursday stating that as the 15th President of the Republic India hopes she would function as the “Custodian of the Constitution” without fear or favour.

    In a statement issued after Murmu’s victory, Sinha thanked the Opposition political parties for choosing him as their consensus candidate in the presidential election and the members of the Electoral College who voted for him.

    “I accepted the offer of Opposition parties solely guided by the philosophy of Karma Yoga preached by Lord Krishna in the Bhagwat Gita–“Do your duty without expectation of the fruit thereof”.I performed my duty conscientiously out of my love for my country and the issues I raised during my campaign remain pertinent”, Sinha said.

    He further said that his candidature benefited Indian democracy in two important ways. “First, it brought most Opposition parties on a common platform. This is indeed the need of the hour and second I tried to highlight the views, concerns, and commitment of the Opposition parties on major issues before the nation and the common people”, he said.

    He further claimed that during his campaign he voiced strong concern over the blatant and rampant weaponization of ED, CBI, Income tax department, and even the office of Governor against Opposition Parties and their leaders.

    “These institutions are also being misused to engineer defections and topple Opposition-run state governments. India has never seen political corruption of such magnitude”, Sinha remarked in a statement even after being defeated in the presidential election.

    He vented his discontent with the Modi government, and further said that coupled with the poisonous politics of polarization, poses a grave danger to democracy and communal harmony in India.

    “I’m happy that my views found strong resonance among the CMs, leaders, MPs, and MLAs belonging to Opposition parties in all states I visited. I pledge that till the last breath in my body, I shall continue to serve the cause I believe in the very cause that guided me to contest the election for the highest office of the Republic”, he said in the last of his statement.

  • Who will be India’s 15th President? Country to know on Thursday as counting begins at 11 am

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India on Thursday will know who will succeed incumbent Ram Nath Kovind to become the country’s 15th President, as counting of votes for the presidential election begins at 11 am at the Parliament House here.

    Ruling NDA’s Droupadi Murmu and Opposition’s Yashwant Sinha are pitted against each other in the contest, with votes clearly stacked in favour of Murmu, who, if elected, will be the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post in the country.

    Kovind’s tenure is ending on July 24 and the new president will take oath on July 25.

    With ballot boxes from all states had reached the Parliament House, poll officials are ready for the counting in room number 63, the strongroom of Parliament where the boxes are guarded behind round-the-clock security.

    Rajya Sabha Secretary General P C Mody, who is the Chief Returning Officer for the poll, will oversee the counting Thursday, the result of which is likely to be declared by the evening.

    Mody will first brief on the poll trends after all votes of MPs have been counted, and then again after votes of 10 states in alphabetical order have been counted.

    Sources said he will brief once more on the poll trends after votes of 20 states have been counted, and then finally declare the result after the total counting.

    All ballot boxes from state assemblies had reached the Parliament’s strongroom on Tuesday evening and have been locked there since.

    The ballot boxes had been flown into the national capital as ‘Mr Ballot Box’ from across the states.

    ‘Mr Ballot Box’ came seated in the front row of aircraft under the watchful gaze of the Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) of their respective states.

    The Election Commission had on Monday posted photographs of the sealed ballot boxes onboard flights accompanied by AROs.

    According to the EC, each ballot box was issued an e-ticket under the name ‘Mr Ballot Box’.

    Polling for the presidential election was held between 10 am to 5 pm Monday at 31 locations including the Parliament House and 30 centres within state legislative assemblies.

    There are also reports of cross-voting in favour of Murmu in a number of states.

    There is no whip issued to members in the presidential poll.

    MPs of both, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, except nominated MPs, and all MLAs in the legislative assembly in all states act as electors in the presidential poll.

    A total of 4,809 electors, comprising 776 MPs and 4,033 elected MLAs, are entitled to vote in the election, but nominated MPs and MLAs, and Members of the Legislative Council are not.

    Over 99 per cent of the total electors had cast their ballot in the poll that took place Monday, according to the Election Commission.

    Eight MPs, including BJP MPs Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dhotre, were among those who missed casting their votes.

    Actor-politician Deol missed voting since he is abroad for medical treatment, while Dhotre gave it a pass since he was in the ICU.

    Two MPs each from BJP and Shiv Sena, and one from the BSP, Congress, SP, and AIMIM missed voting in the Monday polls.

    Kovind had become the President after polling 7,02,044 votes out of a total of 10,69,358 votes, while his rival Meira Kumar polled only 3,67,314 votes.

    NEW DELHI: India on Thursday will know who will succeed incumbent Ram Nath Kovind to become the country’s 15th President, as counting of votes for the presidential election begins at 11 am at the Parliament House here.

    Ruling NDA’s Droupadi Murmu and Opposition’s Yashwant Sinha are pitted against each other in the contest, with votes clearly stacked in favour of Murmu, who, if elected, will be the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post in the country.

    Kovind’s tenure is ending on July 24 and the new president will take oath on July 25.

    With ballot boxes from all states had reached the Parliament House, poll officials are ready for the counting in room number 63, the strongroom of Parliament where the boxes are guarded behind round-the-clock security.

    Rajya Sabha Secretary General P C Mody, who is the Chief Returning Officer for the poll, will oversee the counting Thursday, the result of which is likely to be declared by the evening.

    Mody will first brief on the poll trends after all votes of MPs have been counted, and then again after votes of 10 states in alphabetical order have been counted.

    Sources said he will brief once more on the poll trends after votes of 20 states have been counted, and then finally declare the result after the total counting.

    All ballot boxes from state assemblies had reached the Parliament’s strongroom on Tuesday evening and have been locked there since.

    The ballot boxes had been flown into the national capital as ‘Mr Ballot Box’ from across the states.

    ‘Mr Ballot Box’ came seated in the front row of aircraft under the watchful gaze of the Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) of their respective states.

    The Election Commission had on Monday posted photographs of the sealed ballot boxes onboard flights accompanied by AROs.

    According to the EC, each ballot box was issued an e-ticket under the name ‘Mr Ballot Box’.

    Polling for the presidential election was held between 10 am to 5 pm Monday at 31 locations including the Parliament House and 30 centres within state legislative assemblies.

    There are also reports of cross-voting in favour of Murmu in a number of states.

    There is no whip issued to members in the presidential poll.

    MPs of both, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, except nominated MPs, and all MLAs in the legislative assembly in all states act as electors in the presidential poll.

    A total of 4,809 electors, comprising 776 MPs and 4,033 elected MLAs, are entitled to vote in the election, but nominated MPs and MLAs, and Members of the Legislative Council are not.

    Over 99 per cent of the total electors had cast their ballot in the poll that took place Monday, according to the Election Commission.

    Eight MPs, including BJP MPs Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dhotre, were among those who missed casting their votes.

    Actor-politician Deol missed voting since he is abroad for medical treatment, while Dhotre gave it a pass since he was in the ICU.

    Two MPs each from BJP and Shiv Sena, and one from the BSP, Congress, SP, and AIMIM missed voting in the Monday polls.

    Kovind had become the President after polling 7,02,044 votes out of a total of 10,69,358 votes, while his rival Meira Kumar polled only 3,67,314 votes.

  • Congress lodges complaint with EC against Murmu, BJP leaders, alleging poll code violation

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: The Congress in Karnataka on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu and others alleging violations of the provisions of law in the July 18 election.

    The party alleged that the ruling BJP in Karnataka had bribed and exerted undue influence on its MLAs on July 17 and 18.

    The Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah and state party president D K Shivakumar in their complaint alleged that the MLAs, who were the voters, were provided luxurious stay in a five-star hotel.

    They alleged that at the “instance and consent” of the NDA candidate (Murmu), Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, the BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, BJP senior leader B S Yediyurappa, the BJP chief whip in the Assembly Sathish Reddy, the ministers and other senior leaders of BJP joined together and summoned all the MLAs of BJP to a five-Star hotel here and provided luxurious rooms, food, liquor, beverages, entertainment in the guise of training session for MLAs on voting in the presidential election.

    The leaders further said that on July 18 morning, almost all the ministers, MLAs and other senior leaders of the BJP came in a government-owned Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s air-conditioned bus from the hotel to Vidhana Soudha to exercise their electoral rights.

    “All these acts of the BJP leaders are nothing but bribery and undue influence on the voters/MLAs made on behalf Droupadi Murmu for the furtherance of the prospectus of the election,” they alleged.

    By these acts, the BJP leadership has interfered with the free exercise of the electoral rights of the voters or MLAs and a huge amount was spent on them in a five-star hotel, the complaint said.

    The leaders appealed to the ECI to take cognisance of the “electoral offenses committed by the NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu, Bommai, Yediyurappa, Kateel and Reddy”.

    They also demanded filing a criminal case against them under various sections of the IPC along with the provisions of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election Act, 1952.

    Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar also asked the EC to direct the Returning Officer of the Presidential election to treat all the votes polled in favour of the NDA candidate as invalid “in the interest of free and fair election”.

    BENGALURU: The Congress in Karnataka on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu and others alleging violations of the provisions of law in the July 18 election.

    The party alleged that the ruling BJP in Karnataka had bribed and exerted undue influence on its MLAs on July 17 and 18.

    The Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah and state party president D K Shivakumar in their complaint alleged that the MLAs, who were the voters, were provided luxurious stay in a five-star hotel.

    They alleged that at the “instance and consent” of the NDA candidate (Murmu), Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, the BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, BJP senior leader B S Yediyurappa, the BJP chief whip in the Assembly Sathish Reddy, the ministers and other senior leaders of BJP joined together and summoned all the MLAs of BJP to a five-Star hotel here and provided luxurious rooms, food, liquor, beverages, entertainment in the guise of training session for MLAs on voting in the presidential election.

    The leaders further said that on July 18 morning, almost all the ministers, MLAs and other senior leaders of the BJP came in a government-owned Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s air-conditioned bus from the hotel to Vidhana Soudha to exercise their electoral rights.

    “All these acts of the BJP leaders are nothing but bribery and undue influence on the voters/MLAs made on behalf Droupadi Murmu for the furtherance of the prospectus of the election,” they alleged.

    By these acts, the BJP leadership has interfered with the free exercise of the electoral rights of the voters or MLAs and a huge amount was spent on them in a five-star hotel, the complaint said.

    The leaders appealed to the ECI to take cognisance of the “electoral offenses committed by the NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu, Bommai, Yediyurappa, Kateel and Reddy”.

    They also demanded filing a criminal case against them under various sections of the IPC along with the provisions of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election Act, 1952.

    Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar also asked the EC to direct the Returning Officer of the Presidential election to treat all the votes polled in favour of the NDA candidate as invalid “in the interest of free and fair election”.

  • Presidential polls: Voted according to my conscience, says rebel Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Haryana Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi, who cross-voted in last month’s Rajya Sabha polls, on Monday said he has voted according to his conscience in the presidential election too.

    Indicating that he supported NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu rather than the opposition’s Yashwant Sinha, Bishnoi said in Delhi, “Like in Rajya Sabha, I have cast my vote in this election too as per my conscience”.

    When reporters asked about his future course of action, he said, “I will reveal that soon.”

    “The Congress is no longer the party as it was during Indira ji or Rajiv ji’s time,” he said, claiming that common workers and even senior “don’t get that respect in the Congress now”.

    He said Congress leaders, with whom he has personal relations, keep telling him that he should not leave the party.

    Before the Rajya Sabha polls too, Bishnoi, the younger son of former Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal, had said he would go by his conscience.

    The system of secret ballot is followed in the presidential election, and parties cannot issue whips to their MPs and MLAs.

    While other Haryana MLAs were exercising their franchise at the Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh, Bishnoi had sought permission to cast his vote at Parliament House.

    The 53-year-old legislator from Adampur had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief J P Nadda in New Delhi recently and later heaped praises on them.

    Bishnoi, a four-time MLA and a two-time MP, has been sulking ever since the Congress ignored him for the post of its Haryana unit chief during a revamp earlier this year.

    The party appointed Udai Bhan, a loyalist of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as its Haryana president.

    Bishnoi was expelled from all party positions on June 11 for not following the party line in the Rajya Sabha elections.

    “The Congress also has rules for some leaders and exceptions for others. Rules are applied selectively. Indiscipline has been repeatedly ignored in the past. In my case, I listened to my soul and acted on my morals,” he had then tweeted in response.

    Last month, Bishnoi said he was consulting his supporters to decide his next course of action.

    Earlier, the Adampur MLA and a prominent non-Jat face in Haryana, Bishnoi had batted for promoting young faces with a “mass base” to strengthen the party.

    He had earlier described Jyotiraditya Scindia’s exit from the party as a big blow and said there are many devoted leaders across the country who feel “alienated, wasted and discontented”.

    In the recent Rajya Sabha election, the Congress, which is the main opposition party in Haryana, was assured of one seat by virtue of the number of MLAs it has in the 90-member assembly.

    However, Congress candidate Ajay Maken failed to secure the berth after Bishnoi cross-voted, while another MLA’s vote was declared invalid.

    BJP’s Krishan Lal Panwar and the saffron party-backed Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma were elected to the two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana for which the election was held last month.

    CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Haryana Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi, who cross-voted in last month’s Rajya Sabha polls, on Monday said he has voted according to his conscience in the presidential election too.

    Indicating that he supported NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu rather than the opposition’s Yashwant Sinha, Bishnoi said in Delhi, “Like in Rajya Sabha, I have cast my vote in this election too as per my conscience”.

    When reporters asked about his future course of action, he said, “I will reveal that soon.”

    “The Congress is no longer the party as it was during Indira ji or Rajiv ji’s time,” he said, claiming that common workers and even senior “don’t get that respect in the Congress now”.

    He said Congress leaders, with whom he has personal relations, keep telling him that he should not leave the party.

    Before the Rajya Sabha polls too, Bishnoi, the younger son of former Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal, had said he would go by his conscience.

    The system of secret ballot is followed in the presidential election, and parties cannot issue whips to their MPs and MLAs.

    While other Haryana MLAs were exercising their franchise at the Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh, Bishnoi had sought permission to cast his vote at Parliament House.

    The 53-year-old legislator from Adampur had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief J P Nadda in New Delhi recently and later heaped praises on them.

    Bishnoi, a four-time MLA and a two-time MP, has been sulking ever since the Congress ignored him for the post of its Haryana unit chief during a revamp earlier this year.

    The party appointed Udai Bhan, a loyalist of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as its Haryana president.

    Bishnoi was expelled from all party positions on June 11 for not following the party line in the Rajya Sabha elections.

    “The Congress also has rules for some leaders and exceptions for others. Rules are applied selectively. Indiscipline has been repeatedly ignored in the past. In my case, I listened to my soul and acted on my morals,” he had then tweeted in response.

    Last month, Bishnoi said he was consulting his supporters to decide his next course of action.

    Earlier, the Adampur MLA and a prominent non-Jat face in Haryana, Bishnoi had batted for promoting young faces with a “mass base” to strengthen the party.

    He had earlier described Jyotiraditya Scindia’s exit from the party as a big blow and said there are many devoted leaders across the country who feel “alienated, wasted and discontented”.

    In the recent Rajya Sabha election, the Congress, which is the main opposition party in Haryana, was assured of one seat by virtue of the number of MLAs it has in the 90-member assembly.

    However, Congress candidate Ajay Maken failed to secure the berth after Bishnoi cross-voted, while another MLA’s vote was declared invalid.

    BJP’s Krishan Lal Panwar and the saffron party-backed Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma were elected to the two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana for which the election was held last month.

  • Presidential polls: Cross-voting fears in Maharashtra Congress, NCP

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: As lawmakers from Maharashtra gear up to vote on Monday to elect the country’s next president, there are concerns among the opposition parties over the possibility of cross-voting.

    MLAs and MPs form the electoral college to elect the President of India.

    The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress – the two main opposition parties in Maharashtra – have already held meetings with their legislators to ensure there is no any cross-voting in favour of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s candidate Droupadi Murmu.

    The opposition is concerned as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday claimed that Murmu would get the support of 200 MLAs from the state.

    “We will manage to get the votes of 200 MLAs for Droupadi Murmu. We want a very comfortable win for her,”” he said.

    Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha is the candidate of the Opposition.

    Notably, cross-voting was held during the Rajya Sabha elections and the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls last month.

    All five candidates of the BJP had won the Legislative Council polls held for 10 seats, while with its own numbers the BJP could have won only four seats.

    The Shiv Sena and the NCP won two seats each, while the Congress could only bag one seat.

    “There are some concerns in the NCP and Congress over guarding their votes.

    “The Congress already faced an embarrassment in the Legislative Council election when one of its candidate lost against the BJP. We do not want it to happen again,”” a senior Congress leader said.

    The BJP currently has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly along with 40 MLAs belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, besides 10 independents who support the BJP.

    ““Without cross-voting, Murmu cannot get the votes of 200 MLAs, as claimed by CM Shinde. If Murmu gets 200 votes, it will be a further setback for the Congress, NCP and the Shiv Sena,” a political analyst said.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena with 15 MLAs has announced support for Murmu.

    The NCP and Congress have 53 and 44 MLAs, respectively.

    Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, 23 MPs belong to the BJP, 18 to Shiv Sena, four to NCP, and one to Congress.

    Of the rest two MPs, one belongs to the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and another is Independent.

    Various political parties in the state are also taking extra efforts to ensure none of the votes cast by their MLAs and MPs turn invalid in the presidential election.

    MUMBAI: As lawmakers from Maharashtra gear up to vote on Monday to elect the country’s next president, there are concerns among the opposition parties over the possibility of cross-voting.

    MLAs and MPs form the electoral college to elect the President of India.

    The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress – the two main opposition parties in Maharashtra – have already held meetings with their legislators to ensure there is no any cross-voting in favour of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s candidate Droupadi Murmu.

    The opposition is concerned as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday claimed that Murmu would get the support of 200 MLAs from the state.

    “We will manage to get the votes of 200 MLAs for Droupadi Murmu. We want a very comfortable win for her,”” he said.

    Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha is the candidate of the Opposition.

    Notably, cross-voting was held during the Rajya Sabha elections and the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls last month.

    All five candidates of the BJP had won the Legislative Council polls held for 10 seats, while with its own numbers the BJP could have won only four seats.

    The Shiv Sena and the NCP won two seats each, while the Congress could only bag one seat.

    “There are some concerns in the NCP and Congress over guarding their votes.

    “The Congress already faced an embarrassment in the Legislative Council election when one of its candidate lost against the BJP. We do not want it to happen again,”” a senior Congress leader said.

    The BJP currently has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly along with 40 MLAs belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, besides 10 independents who support the BJP.

    ““Without cross-voting, Murmu cannot get the votes of 200 MLAs, as claimed by CM Shinde. If Murmu gets 200 votes, it will be a further setback for the Congress, NCP and the Shiv Sena,” a political analyst said.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena with 15 MLAs has announced support for Murmu.

    The NCP and Congress have 53 and 44 MLAs, respectively.

    Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, 23 MPs belong to the BJP, 18 to Shiv Sena, four to NCP, and one to Congress.

    Of the rest two MPs, one belongs to the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and another is Independent.

    Various political parties in the state are also taking extra efforts to ensure none of the votes cast by their MLAs and MPs turn invalid in the presidential election.