- Even before the formal announcement was made for the ensuing presidential election, the two main national political parties had started preparing the groundwork to choose a suitable candidate from their respective ends. Some regional leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar along with others had initiated concerted efforts at choosing a common opposition candidate to take on the candidate chosen by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. As you are aware, the NDA-led BJP is comfortably placed given the edge over the opposition in the electoral college to ensure its candidate crosses the line without breaking into a sweat. However, the opposition parties were attempting to project a united face by fielding an agreeable candidate.
PC: Newsonair
- They chose ex-BJP stalwart Yashwant Sinha as the opposition-backed candidate too. Now all eyes were on the BJP to announce its candidate. There were several names making rounds including the incumbent Vice President being considered for the role. Knowing fully well how the BJP’s election machinery pursues its agenda relentlessly and ruthlessly, it was a matter of time before the presidential candidate was known. In choosing former Jharkhand governor Draupadi Murmu as its presidential candidate, BJP has sent a strong political signal that opposition parties spectacularly failed at. Once elected, Murmu will be only the second woman to grace the post and the first Adivasi at that. Always trust the BJP to throw a shrewdly surprising move.
- Of course, Murmu is qualified for the post having served as an MLA and minister in Odisha before gaining a measure of national attention as Jharkhand governor. Her Odisha roots should also help bag the BJD vote, which should be enough to seal her win. We know how women continue to be poorly represented in Parliament and legislatures despite being nearly half the population. So, the choice of a woman for India’s top constitutional post does have great salience. While Adivasis get a reservation in Parliament and assemblies according to their proportion in the population, measures to address their social-economic marginalization remain a work in slow progress. Sadly, political leaders are failing to walk the talk with the intent on this front over the last many years.
PC: PTI
- Hopefully, Murmu could become a president who inspires many women and people from weaker sections, but for that, she will also have to shed the characteristic reticence that recent presidents have been known for. Got to admire BJP’s knack for killing many birds with one stone has come to the fore again. In the forthcoming assembly elections in Gujarat, Murmu’s candidature may woo Adivasis to the BJP fold. Likewise, in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, the Adivasi vote had deserted BJP in assembly elections. Women are now a key voting bloc in Indian elections and BJP has, through smart welfare schemes, deft political appointments to key government posts, and enabling legislative enactments, reinforced its outreach. Good going indeed for the BJP.
