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Britain sends ‘badhai’ to Indian President Murmu

Ahmad is the minister officially in-charge of Indian affairs and sent the message in his capacity as Minister for South Asia…reports Asian Lite News

Britain has sent greetings to India’s new President Droupadi Murmu and expressed confidence that the India-UK relationship would go from “strength to strength” under her tenure.

Lord Tariq Ahmad, the Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for South Asia and the Commonwealth, took to Twitter on Friday to send his “badhai” in Devanagari script to the new Indian Head of State. The tweet followed the former governor of Jharkhand’s confirmation as President-elect.

“Congratulations to Droupadi Murmu on her election as India’s new President,” said Lord Ahmad, a Pakistani-origin Conservative Party peer in the House of Lords.

“I am sure the UK-India relationship will go from strength to strength during her tenure. Badhai!” With outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson now technically signed off from the job after his farewell speech in Parliament last week ahead of the election of a new Prime Minister by early September, 10 Downing Street said Lord Ahmad’s tweet from last week is the formal UK government congratulatory message for the new Indian President.

Ahmad is the minister officially in-charge of Indian affairs and sent the message in his capacity as Minister for South Asia.

On Monday, Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India and hailed her election as symbolic of the “greatness of India, mother of democracy”. The 64-year-old is the first tribal woman to hold the highest constitutional post in the country.

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Droupadi Murmu sworn in as 15th President of India

The outgoing President had then escorted Murmu to the Presidential study for a brief meeting…reports Asian Lite News

 Droupadi Murmu on Monday took oath as the 15th President of India.

Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana administered the oath of office to Murmu in the Central Hall of Parliament.

Outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind and Murmu arrived in Parliament in a ceremonial procession shortly before the swearing in commenced.

She is scheduled to deliver an address later.

Before leaving for the swearing-in ceremony, Murmu reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan, her home and office for the next five years, where she was welcomed by Kovind and his wife Savita.

The outgoing President had then escorted Murmu to the Presidential study for a brief meeting.

Earlier in the morning, Murmu paid tributes to the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Members of the Council of Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, MPs and principal civil and military officers of the government are in attendance at the swearing in ceremony.

ALSO READ-Droupadi Murmu is India’s 15th President

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Festive mood at Murmu’s hometown

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Murmu on being elected as the 15th President of India…reports Asian Lite News

With NDA’s Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu securing the majority mark to be elected as the 15th President of India, people at her hometown Rairangpur in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district burst into celebrations on Thursday.

Scores of people gathered at the residence of Murmu in Rairangpur and burst firecrackers, while local artistes performed tribal folk dance. The house of Murmu was decorated with flowers and lights.

People at her native place were also seen celebrating the occasion on the streets of Rairangpur. Also, around 20,000 sweets were prepared which are now being distributed among the people.

“We are really happy and proud as our ‘didi’ has won the election for the highest post in India. From the very beginning, we were confident that she would win this election. So, from the morning we have started celebrating her victory,” said Sonali, a native of Rairangpur.

“This is the first time that someone from Odisha is going to be the President of India. We are also happy that a tribal lady has been elected for the President’s post and that too from Odisha,” said Simanta Digar, a social worker from Mayurbhanj.

People from different walks of life, including women and children, along with leaders from BJP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) also started celebrating the victory of Murmu at different places across the state.

In Bhubaneswar, BJP MLAs were seen distributing sweets among themselves in the Assembly to celebrate the occasion.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Murmu on being elected as the 15th President of India.

“It is indeed a very proud moment for everyone in Odisha that she has been elected for the highest office in the country,” he tweeted.

Murmu’s journey from a humble beginning to becoming the first citizen of the country is indeed inspiring and is a shining example of women empowerment, Patnaik said, as he wished Murmu for a fulfilling tenure ahead.

“Many congratulations to Draupadi Murmu Ji on getting elected as the president of India. Happy that an Odia has occupied such a high office,” tweeted Congress legislative party leader Narasingha Mishra.

Similarly, Odisha BJP president Samir Mohanty congratulated Murmu and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making every Odisha proud.

ALSO READ-Droupadi Murmu is India’s 15th President

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Draupadi Murmu leads Presidential race

Counting of votes for the Presidential poll started on Thursday at Parliament House in New Delhi and it is likely to be concluded by evening…reports Asian Lite News

The first round of counting of the Presidential poll on Thursday showed that Draupadi Murmu is far ahead of her counterpart Yashwant Sinha.

The number of votes in favour of Murmu was 540 and for Yashwant Sinha it was 208 out of a total 748 valid votes. Total value of valid votes stands at 5,23,600.

Counting of votes for the Presidential poll started on Thursday at Parliament House in New Delhi and it is likely to be concluded by evening.

Ruling NDA’s Draupadi Murmu and Opposition backed Yashwant Sinha are pitted against each other in the contest, with votes clearly stacked in Murmu’s favour.

If elected, Murmu will be the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post in the country.

Extends lead after second round

NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu is ahead of Opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha by a huge margin after the second round of counting for the Presidential election, which included ballot papers from the first 10 states.

Of the 1,886 valid votes counted so far, Murmu has bagged 1,349, while Sinha got 537.

As far the second round of counting is concerned, of the total 1,138 valid votes counted, Murmu got 809 while Sinha bagged 329 votes.

After the first round of counting on Thursday, the number of votes in favour of Droupadi was 540 while Sinha managed 208 out of the 748 valid votes.

The counting of votes is likely to be concluded by Thursday evening.

If elected, Murmu will be the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post in the country.

ALSO READ-Setback for Sinha as JMM backs Murmu

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Setback for Sinha as JMM backs Murmu

Sinha was banking on the JMM because he hails from Jharkhand and had represented the state in the Lok Sabha for many years…reports Asian Lite News

Just three days ahead of the Presidential election scheduled on July 18, the joint opposition nominee for the top post, Yashwant Sinha, faced a major setback after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) officially announced its support for NDA Candidate Draupadi Murmu.

The announcement came close on the heels of Shiv Sena declaring support for Murmu.

The JMM issued a statement signed by its founder Shibu Soren, which said that after Independence, this is the first time that a tribal woman is contesting for the top Constitutional post and all the MPs and MLAs of the party will vote for Murmu.

The announcement came as a setback for Sinha, who was banking on the JMM because he hails from Jharkhand and had represented the state in the Lok Sabha for many years.

The Shiv Sena had on Tuesday announced that it will support NDA’s Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray made the formal announcement after a series of consultations with the party MPs, MLAs and other leaders, including tribals.

“There have been absolutely no pressures from the MPs, as claimed in the media. However, many Sena leaders and office-bearers from tribal communities have requested us we take a decision to support Draupadi Murmu for the President’s post,” Thackeray said.

Sinha questions Murmu’s silence

Yashwant Sinha on Thursday questioned NDA nominee Draupadi Murmu’s silence on issues concerning the tribal community in the country.

Addressing a press conference here at a hotel, Sinha called Murmu a ‘silent’ and ‘rubber stamp’ candidate for the Presidential election.

“I have great regards for Draupadi Murmu. However, so far, she has not broken her silence even on issues concerning the tribal communities in India. Hence, my question is to members of the electoral college, and also to the people of the county — should India have a silent and rubber-stamp Rashtrapati?” Sinha said.

He further stated that there is nothing wrong if MLAs and MPs vote for a candidate of his or her choice in the Presidential election.

“The makers of the constitution have devised the method of the secret ballot to underscore the fact that the members of the Electoral College should have freedom to heed the call of their conscience, and should not blindly follow the decision of their respective parties.

“Therefore, I too urge MPs and MLAs, regardless of their party affiliations, to vote for me. But I strongly condemn the dirty tricks employed by the ruling party…. My fight is against anarchism and to protect the democracy of the country,” he added.

“Apart from Madhya Pradesh, the BJP dislodged governments in Karnataka, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, and most recently in Maharashtra. In all this, I hear alarm bells for democracy in India,” Sinha said.

Sinha arrived in Bhopal on Wednesday night to seek support of MPs and MLAs for the upcoming July 18 Presidential elections.

He has left for Delhi on Thursday noon.

ALSO READ-BJP plans grand celebration for Murmu

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BJP plans grand celebration for Murmu

It is learnt that as per plan, victory will be celebrated in over one lakh tribal villages in the country…reports Asian Lite News

With eyes on tribal votes in the 2024 general elections, the BJP is planning a grand celebration for Draupadi Murmu if she wins the upcoming July 18 Presidential election.

As the victory of Murmu is certain, the BJP has started preparation to celebrate her victory on “becoming the first tribal woman president of the country”.

Sources said that preparation has started and direction has been issued in this regard for the grand celebration as there is no doubt on Murmu’s victory.

“Everyone in the party and country are confident about Murmu’s victory, and after that she becomes the first tribal woman President. Celebration will be organised across the country especially in tribal-dominated villages and areas,” sources said.

It is learnt that as per plan, victory will be celebrated in over one lakh tribal villages in the country.

“Victory celebrations will start after the official announcement of the Presidential poll result on July 21. Celebration will be held at mandal (block) level in tribal areas and only posters of Murmu will be used,” party sources said.

The party is also planning small rallies in tribal areas after the presidential election, to cover all villages and gram panchayats dominated by the community.

During BJP’s National Executive Committee meeting held earlier this month in Hyderabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded NDA’s President candidate Murmu and said that her candidature stands over and above any politics.

Prime Minister Modi asked the party cadre to highlight about struggle and simplicity of Murmu’s life among people.

A senior functionary said that by nominating her as a NDA candidate, the party leadership has already sent a message that after making inroads among all the sections of society, now the BJP leadership has decided to make inroads among the tribal communities across the country.

The saffron party is hoping to reach out to tribal communities across the country ahead of next Lok Sabha polls and in this year’s assembly polls in Gujarat, and next year’s state polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

A functionary noted that it is a strategic move with eye on 2024 Lok Sabha polls as there are 47 reserved Scheduled Tribes (ST) constituencies.

“Murmu becoming president of India, will definitely benefit the party in upcoming assembly polls and parliament elections,” he said.

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NDA sure of Murmu’s win

Former Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said: “PM Narendra Modi coined the slogan ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikash’ and he is sticking to it…reports Asian Lite News

After the day-long visit to Patna by NDA’s Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu, NDA leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, claimed that she will easily win the election.

“The way Draupadi Murmu is getting support, we are sure about her victory by a big margin,” Kumar said.

State Industry Minister Shahnawaz Hussain said: “The NDA is united in Bihar and you saw the glimpse of it today. We are all supporting Draupadi Murmu. Current President Ram Nath Kovind belongs to Scheduled Caste and now we have a tribal woman as the Presidential candidate. She has already won the hearts of 14 crore Bihari people.”

Former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “We are all influenced by her simplicity and sincere approach. She is an ideal candidate whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose for the President’s post. She is going to win by a big margin. I appeal to opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha to withdraw his candidature before the Presidential poll, as he is going to face defeat.”

Former Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said: “PM Narendra Modi coined the slogan ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikash’ and he is sticking to it. Selecting a tribal leader for the post of President is a prime example. A number of opposition parties are also in the favour of Draupadi Murmu. Even Mamata Banerjee has said that had the NDA informed her earlier that Draupadi Murmu would be its candidate, she would have supported her.”

Reacting to the candidature of Draupadi Murmu, state RJD chief Jagadanand Singh said: “It is not a contest of personality, it is a contest of ideology. We are fighting for the rights of the tribal people. The NDA is projecting a person for the President’s as part of its politics to retain power.

“This is not a question of two candidates. It is a question of two ideologies. They are spreading hatred towards the Muslim community. They are burning the country.”

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