Droupadi Murmu backed by the ruling BJP-led coalition has been elected as the new President of India as she has already won more than 50% of the votes after the third round as the counting continues at Parliament House.
The result will be formally declared after the counting is completed.
#WATCH | Folk artists perform a tribal dance at Mother Teresa Crescent Road in Delhi, to celebrate as NDA's Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu leads against Opposition's Yashwant Sinha after the end of the first round of counting. pic.twitter.com/wHQlpQmzwE
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2022
The President-elect will take oath on July 25, a day after Ramnath Kovind's tenure ends, to become the country’s first President from the Adivasi community and only second woman to hold the post.
After the second round of counting of 6.73 lakh, Droupadi Murmu had won 4.83 lakh, which means more than 70 per cent of the votes.
Counting began around 1.30 pm at Parliament House. The process began at 11 am, as ballot boxes from all states were opened before starting the count.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Droupadi Murmu at her at Teen Murti Marg to congratulate her after the results are declared, sources said.
Food being prepared for community feast at Pahadpur village, Droupadi Murmu's in-law's place#PresidentialElections2022
(HT video) pic.twitter.com/DHQDPy0fob— Manoj K Jha aka Manu 😷 (@manojgjha) July 21, 2022
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already congratulated Ms Murmu. "The first women tribal to become President is a momentous occasion and thanks to PM Modi for giving such unique gift. There is absolute euphoria in Assam, particularly in the tea gardens, people are very happy," he added.
The Delhi BJP has started its celebrations with a roadshow from the party headquarters, which will end at Rajpath. All state units of the BJP have also planned victory processions.
Celebrations begin in Droupadi Murmu’s ancestral village in Odisha
Download #PublicVibe For more Updates: https://t.co/r1qNdjMnIX#DroupadiMurmu #Odisha pic.twitter.com/KQ7ptEaqX0— PublicVibe (@PublicVibe) July 21, 2022
Meanwhile celebrations have already begun in Murmu’s native village of Rairangpur in Odisha. Anticipating her victory, the villagers made sweets and were getting ready for celebrations on Wednesday. Villagers have also planned a victory procession and tribal dance on Thursday.
The BJP has also planned grand celebrations in Murmu’s home state. Local BJP leader Tapan Mahanta said that preparations are underway for preparing 20,000 laddus putting up 100 banners congratulating Murmu.
