New Delhi, 23 June
Slamming the BJP for highlighting the tribal background of NDA’s presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu, the Congress on Thursday said the position of the President of India reflects the aspirations of all sections of the society.
The main opposition party also said that the presidential election is not an election between two people but between two ideas.
At the AICC briefing here, Congress spokesperson Gaurav Gogoi said, “We have seen how the thoughts and approach of the present BJP government has put India at risk, be it economic risk, national security risk, financial risk and social risk. So all these issues will matter in the presidential election in the coming days.” Asked why BJP leader Giriraj Singh urged Congress President Sonia Gandhi to support Murmu citing the empowerment of women and scheduled tribes, Gogoi said the post of the Speaker reflects all castes and classes.
He said, ‘If it is the political intention of the BJP that instead of the dignity of the post of president, it should be associated only with the tribals, then they should think about it.’
Gogoi said that the office of the President of India is a highly respected post which represents the diversity and aspirations of every community, caste and tribe of India.
Announcing Murmu’s candidature, BJP chief JP Nadda had told reporters that around 20 names for the post were discussed by the party leadership before it decided to pick someone from the eastern region who would Be tribal and women.
Murmu (64), a former Jharkhand governor, will be the first person from Odisha and, if elected, the first tribal to occupy the top constitutional post, is almost certain.