Presidential poll: Murmu likely to file nomination on June 24; Nagaland CM supports NDA candidature

New Delhi, June 22 (PTI): The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu is likely to file her nomination on June 24, and is expected to be accompanied by its top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi, several Union ministers and chief ministers, and key leaders of some other supporting parties like the Biju Janata Dal will join her during the nomination-filing as a show of support, sources said, adding that the prime minister is expected to be the first proposer.

A presidential candidate requires a set of 50 proposers and 50 seconders for his or her nomination. At least four sets of nominations may be filed in Murmu's support, BJP sources said.

BJP president J P Nadda also held a meeting with party leaders involved in the polling process.

They will be travelling across the country to spearhead Murmu's campaign as she will be reaching out to the members of the presidential electoral college, which is made up of MPs and MLAs, for their support.

With the Opposition fielding former Union minister Yashwant Singh as its candidate, the election will be held on July 18.

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Numbers heavily favour Murmu (64), a tribal leader from Odisha, more so after the BJD's support to her, ensuring that she already has the majority support with the BJP expecting some other regional parties like the YSR Congress and the AIADMK to back her as well.

Rio backs NDA candidate

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday backed the candidature of Murmu for the post of the president of India and congratulated her on being nominated.

“Grateful to NDA leadership for this historic decision, making her the 1st tribal woman nominated for the highest office. Request all to support her candidature cutting across party lines,” tweeted Rio.