New Delhi: In a jolt to the Opposition camp over upcoming Presidential elections, OP Rajbhar, a key ally of Samajwadi Party (SP) broke ranks with it and announced support for NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu.
This comes as a setback not just for SP chief Akhilesh Yadav but also Opposition Presidential nominee Yashwant Sinha, who has been finding it difficult to garner support. With OP Rajbhar pledging support to Droupadi Murmu, the support for NDA candidate is growing with each day. Several rival parties including BSP, JMM, YSRCP have already announced support for Murmu.
Rajbhar heads the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and has 6 legislators in the UP Assembly. He said that the decision to support Murmu was taken after discussions with party leaders and office-bearers.
Rajbhar is the latest from the Opposition rank to switch allegiance to NDA candidate, leaving Yashwant Sinha in the lurch. Before him, Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced supporting Murmu’s bid for the top post.
Uddhav Thackeray was initially inclined towards Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha but under pressure from Sena MPs, he gave in and switched sides.
Droupadi Murmu comes from a highly disadvantaged community. If she wins elections, as expected, will become the first tribal woman to become India’s President.
The choice of a woman candidate from the lowest strata of society makes Droupadi Murmu an ideal choice for the post and parties are finding it extremely hard to oppose her bid for the Presidential election.
