Shillong, July 18: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma declared Monday as a ‘great day’ for the tribal population of India as the MLAs and MPs across the country voted for the new President of India with ruling BJP-led NDA fielding Draupadi Murmu as its Presidential candidate. Opposition UPA has fielded Yashwant Sinha.
Draupadi Murmu belongs to the Santali Scheduled Tribe (ST), and was born in Uparbeda village of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha.
After casting his vote at the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Building, Rilbong, Sangma said it is a great day as he recalled his father (L) PA Sangma’s vision and efforts to have a tribal President of India. The former Lok Sabha Speaker, supported by BJP, had unsuccessfully contested the Presidential elections in 2012 against Congress politician Pranab Mukherjee.
“As a son, it is a great day in, it was one of the important issues and agendas that he (PA Sangma) had mentioned that very soon a tribal will become the President of this country. Today, we are on that direction but we are awaiting for the results,” said the Meghalaya Chief Minister when asked about his opinion on the matter given that his father had ignited the candle for a tribal President.
Conrad further believes that if Murmu is elected as the new President, it will have a huge impact on the various issues concerning the tribal population in the country, and that cases of atrocities will come down. “We know that is going to happen (impact),” he said.
He, however, added that all issues will not totally disappear but things are expected to improve for the tribals, especially infrastructure and development.
A total of 56 MLAs and one MP Rajya Sabha participated in the election on Monday. The election began at 10 AM at the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Building, Rilbong, and concluded at 5 PM. The first MLA to cast the vote was NPP MLA Thomas Sangma and the last MLA was KHNAM MLA Adelbert Nongrum.
The theme of the election was ‘Go Green’, a message of eco friendliness.
The counting process will take place on July 21. The new president will take oath on July 25.
