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 with the Prime Minister for the presidential election to be held on July 18. Narendra Modi Handing over the set of papers to the 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.”
“This decision was taken neither to support BJP or NDA nor to go against the opposition UPA. This was done keeping in mind our party and its movement to make a capable and dedicated tribal woman the President of the country.
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 that is a slave to the 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 asserted, “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…
The BSP chief also accused “casteist” parties of bringing down his party.
“People with casteist mindset leave no opportunity to demean the BSP or its leadership. The ruling party at the Center and in the state is constantly engaged in weakening the movement of our party by adopting all possible means.
“The Congress and the BJP have no desire to implement the Constitution in the country as it was originally intended by Bhim Rao Ambedkar,” he said.
There is one BSP member in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and 10 MPs in the Lok Sabha from the state who are eligible to vote in the presidential election.
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