Context
What Makes Draupadi Murmu's Presidential Candidature Special
Draupadi Murmu,
Draupadi Murmu has been announced as the ruling NDA's candidate for the presidential election. Here's what you should know about her.
What makes her candidature special: She will be the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post if she is elected.
She has held various positions in the BJP rising through the ranks.
Her administrative experience includes being a minister in Naveen Patnaik cabinet and the first governor of Jharkhand to complete a five-year term.
The announcement: BJP president J P Nadda announced her name at a press conference following a meeting of the party top brass.
Nadda told reporters that around 20 names were discussed by the party leadership for the presidential candidate.
He said the ruling party wanted a consensus choice for the next President but the Opposition has announced Yashwant Sinha as its candidate.
Early life: She comes from Mayurbhanj, one of the more backward regions of Odisha.
She started out as an administrative assistant in the state irrigation department and later worked as a teacher.
Murmu’s life has been marked by personal tragedies and the loss of her husband and two sons.
Rise in politics: Murmu was elected as the councillor of Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat in 1997. She also headed the BJP’s Mayurbhanj district unit in Odisha.
Murmu is a two-time BJP MLA from Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj (she won both in 2000 and 2004 elections).
She served as a minister in the Commerce and Transport and later in the Fisheries and Animal Resources department between 2000 and 2004.
Support for her candidature: Murmu is likely to draw support from several non-NDA regional parties, including Odisha's ruling BJD.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is also likely to support her, despite being in coalition with Congress in Jharkhand, as the party identifies itself with the cause of tribals.
PM Modi tweeted that her understanding of policy matters and compassionate nature will greatly benefit our country.
