Shillong, July 17: The choice of Draupadi Murmu, a Santhal tribal presidential candidate from Orissa by the the BJP led NDA Government at the centre was the right one. Her victory in this ensuing election is a foregone conclusion unless prevented by some extraordinary incident.
She will be the first tribal President of the Republic of India. The illustrious son of Meghalaya from Khasi Hills, Prof. G. G Swell, who was the first tribal Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha was the first tribal Presidential candidate backed by the BJP and its allies.
Yet another illustrious son of Meghalaya from Garo Hills, Purno Agitok Sangma, former speaker of Lok Sabha, was the second tribal presidential candidate again backed by the BJP and it’s allies.
Both could not get the highest post of this country because they were not sponsored by the ruling party at that time, the Congress party and its allies.
About the incident which involved Sanbor Shullai’s controvercy during the MDA welcoming of the tribal presidential candidate Murmu to express support for her candidature, I have a different take on the episode.
The issue in question raised by Metbah Lyngdoh could well be raised in a memorandum in front of D. Murmu when she has assumed the office of President of India by the MDA delegation at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Orchid Lake Resort is not the right place and moreover the issue is not proper to be raised on the occasion. Expression of support for her candidature by MDA partners was sufficient and perhaps few words from the MDA leader as to why they support for her and bless her with some traditional gifts along with wish her grand victory written by senior journalist of Meghalaya Mr. Philip Marwein.
