Droupadi Murmu, NDA's presidential candidate, visited Jharkhand and sought the support of ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, a tribal party, besides BJP legislators and parliamentarians in the state for her election to the country's top most office.
She also met Shibu Soren, JMM president, and Hemant Soren its executive president and Chief Minister. JMM spokesperson said that, The JMM, which is yet to announce its stand on its support to a candidate during the July 18 presidential polls, will take the decision this week. According to JMM statement, Chief Minister Soren extended a warm welcome to Murmu, who is a former governor of the state, on her arrival. She was accompanied by union ministers Arjun Munda, Annapurna Devi and Arjun Meghwal, besides BJP state president Deepak Prakash.
Murmu and Soren are both tribal leaders and belongs to the Santhal ethnic group, which has a sizeable population in Jharkhand as well as in Odisha, from where she hails. Lobin Hembrom, senior JMM leader said Hemant Soren has been authorised by JMM to talk to the Centre and take the "appropriate decision" on the party's stand on supporting the presidential candidate. Soren had met Shah and other NDA leaders in Delhi and is learnt to have told them that the party will soon take a call on whom to support in presidential polls.
Earlier, Murmu held a detailed meeting with BJP leaders Deepak Prakash (RS MP), former chief minister Babulal Marandi, national vice president Raghubar Das and union ministers Arjun Munda and Annapurna Devi.
Murmu and Sinha are the only two left in the race for the president's office after the last day for the withdrawal of nomination ended on Saturday. Several regional parties like the BJD, BSP and SAD have extended their support to Murmu.
