The BSP on Saturday extended its support to BJP-led NDA’s presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu, who is likely to be the first tribal leader and second woman to hold the post. Murmu on Friday filed his nomination papers for the July 18 presidential election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi handing over the set of papers to Returning Officer PC Modi. BSP supremo Mayawati said here, “BSP has decided to support Draupadi Murmu in the upcoming presidential election, keeping in mind that tribal society is an important part of the party’s movement.” He said, “This decision was taken not to support the BJP or NDA nor to go against the opposition UPA. It was made keeping in mind our party and its movement to make an able and dedicated tribal woman the President of the country. went.”
The BSP president criticized the opposition parties for keeping him out of consultation while deciding on the presidential candidate, asserting that his party is free to decide on the presidential election.
Mayawati alleged, “The Chief Minister of Bengal unilaterally and arbitrarily invited only select parties to the opposition meeting on June 15 and then (NCP’s) Sharad Pawar did not call the BSP for a similar meeting on June 21.” ” ,
As the opposition continues with its “casteist” mindset against the BSP, Mayawati said her party is free to take its own decision on the presidential election.
In such a situation, efforts for unity of the opposition in the presidential and vice-presidential elections are not serious and people see it as a mere sham.
Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha has been declared joint candidate by several opposition parties including Congress, TMC and NCP.
Mayawati said, “BSP is neither a follower of NDA nor of UPA or their constituents. It is not even a party which is a slave of big capitalists. BSP is fearless in taking decisions in the interest of the country, especially the poor. , labourers, unemployed, dalits, tribals, minorities and other marginalized sections.”
He insisted, “If any opposition party or its government takes appropriate decision in the interest of these sections, then our party supports it without any hesitation, pressure or fear.