Droupadi Murmu first tribal president of India

Droupadi Murmu has become the 15th president of India in a historic win that has seen a politician from an indigenous community take the country’s highest elective office for the first time.

An official announcement on her win is expected after all votes are counted but she has already got 5,77,777 votes, which is more than the halfway mark of the total valid votes cast in the election on July 18.

Murmu, the BJP-led NDA’s nominee on Thursday succeeded Ram Nath Kovind to hold the top constitutional post in India, reports Indian media.

Murmu was pitted against the Opposition’s candidate pick Yashwant Sinha, who has now congratulated her on the victory.

Locals of Murmu’s hometown Rairangpur have prepared 20,000 ladoos (sweets) for distribution among the people and hoardings have been put up congratulating “Odisha’s daughter” as they expressed confidence in her win and geared up for celebrations.

Various local organizations such as traders’ bodies, bar associations, and religious and educational institutions, and even government officials are waiting with palpable enthusiasm to congratulate the “daughter of the soil”.

Meanwhile, security arrangements have been tightened at Murmu’s village expecting large crowds towards the end of the day.

Folk artistes and tribal dancers rehearsed their performances and are ready to hit the streets as soon as the results are declared.

They are waiting with bated breath to witness the first tribal woman president of the country.

Kovind’s tenure is ending on July 24 and the new president will take oath on July 25. Poll officials counted the votes in room number 63, the strong room of Parliament where the boxes were guarded behind round-the-clock security.