A People’s Candidate

Draupadi Murmu’s candidacy for the highest office is a defining moment for India, writes BJP’s president

- JP Nadda

In a few days from now, our republic will have a new President. It’s clear India has appreciated the candidature of Draupadi Murmu for this respected office. Her candidature has struck a chord with different sections of society. In a year when India is marking ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, it has made every Indian proud that the highest office of this land will be occupied by a self-made woman who belongs to a tribal community. The women of India find it empowering that a woman will be our next President. Murmu will be the first President of our nation to be born after Independence, which also gives an important message.

Murmu’s candidature is special for a number of other reasons as well. Let me begin with her accomplishments. In a political set-up where dynastic politics and personal wealth have dominated for decades, Murmu is a breath of fresh air. She started out as a teacher in Rairangpur, Odisha, and later joined the state irrigation department as junior assistant. Even though she performed her professional duties with diligence, it was clear that public service was her real calling.

Starting from the grassroots, in 1997 she contested the civic elections and became a councillor in Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. Three years later, she contested the assembly election from Rairangpur and won. She served two terms as MLA from the constituency. She was also awarded the Neelkanth Award for Best Legislator by the Odisha legislative assembly in 2007 from amongst 147 legislators, and this shows that her track record as MLA was exceptional. She handled critical departments like commerce, transport, fisheries and animal resources development as minister. Her tenure was develop-mentoriented and corruption-free.