In a major political development, the leading party of the ruling grand alliance in Jharkhand – JMM, on Thursday, announced its support to Draupadi Murmu in the Presidential election. Party Chief Shibu Soren has issued a letter in this regard to all the MPs and MLAs of the party. Other partners of the alliance like Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have not reacted on the issue so far.
According to the issued office order, it has been said that former Governor of Jharkhand and tribal woman Draupadi Murmu is the candidate in the election. For the first time after independence, a tribal woman is going to get the distinction of becoming the President. In such a situation, the party has decided to vote in favour of Murmu. All MPs and MLAs have been asked to vote in favour of Draupadi in the Presidential election to be held on 18 July.
Significantly, on June 25, a meeting of the JMM Central Committee was held on the issue of Presidential election. It was presided over by party president Shibu Soren. After this it was unanimously decided that Shibu Soren will decide which candidate should be supported in the Presidential election. After this, on July 14, Shibu Soren gave his verdict in the name of Draupadi Murmu.
Talking to the Pioneer, Congress Legislature Party Leader and Rural Development Minister in the Chief Minister, Hemant Soren led State Government, Alamgir Alam said that the party will hold a meeting on the issue on July 16. After the meeting he could say anything on the issue, he added.
Finance Minister in the State Government, Rameshwar Oraon clearly denied to say anything on the issue and he said he is not the party State Chief and CLP leader at present so he is not authorised to say anything on the issue.
Draupadi Murmu is National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supported candidate. Several opposition parties including Congress supported former Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha as candidate for President. Some days earlier Chief Minister, Hemant Soren went to the National Capital to meet Home Minister, Amit Shah to discuss several issues. Now the party has opened its cards on the issue and announced its support to Murmu for the post in the poll.