Draupadi Murmu Gets Z+ Security Cover After NDA Declares Former Governor As Presidential Candidate

Draupadi Murmu said she was surprised and delighted after being chosen as the Presidential candidate for NDA.

Former Jharkhand governor and NDA's Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu

Source : PTI

New Delhi: After announcing former Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu as the Presidential candidate for NDA, the centre has provided her round-the-clock Z+ category security cover by the armed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) starting today. The armed squad took over the security of Murmu, 64, early Wednesday morning, according to a PTI report.  Congratulatory messages from leaders flooded for Murmu after the announcement by Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). 

“I am surprised as well as delighted. As a tribal woman from remote Mayurbhanj district, I had not thought about becoming the candidate for the top post,” Murmu told reporters at her Rairangpur residence.

She said the NDA government has now proven the BJP’s slogan of “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Biswas,” by selecting a tribal woman for the top post.

She is the first woman and a tribal leader from Odisha to be appointed a governor in an Indian state. If elected, Murmu will be the first tribal President of India and the second-ever female President. The presidential elections are scheduled for July 18.

To begin with, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the 64-year-old politician and tweeted, “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has devoted her life to serving society and empowering the poor, the downtrodden as well as the marginalised. She has rich administrative experience and had an outstanding gubernatorial tenure.”

Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has devoted her life to serving society and empowering the poor, downtrodden as well as the marginalised. She has rich administrative experience and had an outstanding gubernatorial tenure. I am confident she will be a great President of our nation.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2022

He further added that the former Jharkhand governor's understanding of policy matters and compassionate nature will greatly benefit the country. Other leaders also hailed the NDA's decision and extended wishes to Draupadi Murmu for the presidential nomination. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted that the NDA’s nomination is “a reflection of the unwavering resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the welfare of women and tribals.” In his congratulatory message, Shah tweeted in Hindi, “Draupadi Murmu ji has made a special identity in public life by spreading awareness about education in the tribal society and serving the public for a long time as a public representative. I am sure she will win.”

प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व में चाहे महिला सशक्तिकरण हो या जनजातीय अस्मिता के गौरव को पुनर्स्थापित करना हो इस दिशा में जितने कार्य पिछले 8 साल में हुए हैं वो पहले कभी नहीं हुए।⁰
आज का ये निर्णय मोदी जी के महिला व जनजातीय कल्याण के उसी अटूट संकल्प का प्रतिबिंब है।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 21, 2022

द्रौपदी मुर्मू जी ने जनजातीय समाज में शिक्षा के प्रति जागरूकता फैलाने व जनप्रतिनिधि के रूप में लम्बे समय तक जनसेवा करते हुए सार्वजनिक जीवन में अपनी विशिष्ठ पहचान बनाई है।⁰
इस गरिमामई पद की प्रत्याशी बनने पर उनको शुभकामनाएं देता हूँ व मुझे विश्वास है कि वो निश्चित रूप से जीतेंगी।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 21, 2022

Foreign minister S Jaishankar also echoed similar sentiments saying that the nomination is a reflection of the Modi Government’s “vision of inclusive growth, development and prosperity.” Jaishankar, who also extended best wishes to Draupadi Murmu in a tweet wrote, “An inspired choice, her experience, sensitivity and spirit of service make her an ideal candidate for the office of the President of India.”

Best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji on her nomination as NDA’s Presidential candidate.

An inspired choice, her experience, sensitivity and spirit of service make her an ideal candidate for the office of the President of India.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 21, 2022

Defence minister Rajnath Singh tweeted that Droupadi Murmu “is known for her administrative qualities, humility, and passion to work for the welfare of the poor and other marginalised sections of our society. I extend my best wishes to her.”

Congratulations to Smt. Draupadi Murmu ji on being declared as the NDA’s Presidential candidate. She is known for her administrative qualities, humility and passion to work for the welfare of the poor and other marginalised sections of our society. I extend my best wishes to her.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 21, 2022

Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik congratulated the NDA presidential nominee who also hails from Odisha, said it was a “proud moment for people of the state.” In a tweet, he wrote that he was delighted when the Prime Minister discussed Murmu’s nomination and wrote: “I am sure Smt Murmu will set a shining example for women empowerment in the country.”

Congratulations Smt #DraupadiMurmu on being announced as candidate of NDA for the country’s highest office. I was delighted when Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji discussed this with me. It is indeed a proud moment for people of #Odisha.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 21, 2022

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan told news agency ANI that BJP's decision to name Draupadi Murmu as the presidential candidate “is a matter of pride for the tribal community and the nation. She'll be the first tribal Presidential candidate, that too a woman.”

“As constitutional head, she will script a new history in serving the nation,” he said further. The Assam chief minister also extended his wishes and support to the former Jharkhand governor on being nominated as the Presidential candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

If elected, Murmu will become the first person from Odisha and the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post. Murmu is also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She is the first governor of Jharkhand to complete the five-year term, since its formation in the year 2000.

Murmu was a BJP minister in the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha cabinet when the Biju Janata Dal ruled the state with the support of the saffron party.

On the other hand, the Opposition party Congress had announced Yashwant Sinha as its joint candidate for the post.