New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday said that her party will extend support to National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmi in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for July 18.
"The BSP has decided to extend support to Droupadi Murmu in the coming presidential elections keeping in mind that the Adivasi samaj is an important part of the party's movement," BSP supremo Mayawati said, reported news agency PTI.
She further said that the decision was not made to favour BJP or go against the Opposition UPA, “but keeping in mind our party and its movement for making a capable and dedicated Adivasi woman the president of the country."
She also criticised the Opposition for keeping her out of consultation while deciding on the presidential candidate, and stressed that her party is free to take its decision on the presidential election, as per the report.
NDA’s presidential candidate, Droupadi Murmu filed her nomination for the polls on Friday in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other ministers, chief ministers and leaders of the BJP.
Murmu is a former governor of Jharkhand and first tribal woman to be appointed to the post. If elected as President, she will be the first President of India to belong from tribal community and second ever female president after Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.
Murmu will be contesting against Yashwant Sinha who has been fielded as the joint candidate of the Opposition for the presidential election.