THE National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (21) announced Droupadi Murmu, a former governor of the eastern state of Jharkhand, as its candidate for the July 18 presidential election.
Murmu is the first major tribal female presidential candidate in India's history. Once elected, she will be the first tribal president of India and the second-ever female President after Pratibha Patil.
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The 64-year-old is the first major presidential candidate from the eastern state of Odisha and once elected, she will become first president of the country from that state.
Murmu served as Odisha's minister of state with independent charge for commerce and transport between 2000 and 2002 when the BJP and Biju Janata Dal formed government in the state. She was also the state's fisheries and animal resources development minister between 2002 and 2004. She had represented Rairangpur constituency in Odisha state assembly.
The leader, who was born in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, was the first woman governor of Jharkhand (2015-21). She was also the first tribal leader from Odisha to get appointed as a governor of an Indian state.
The last date for filing nominations for the presidential election is June 29. The votes will be counted on July 21.
Meanwhile, Indian National Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced that former Indian finance and foreign minister Yashwant Sinha will be the common candidate of the Opposition parties for the presidential election.
[With ANI inputs]
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