Yashwant Sinha, the opposition candidate for the Presidential Elections, congratulated the 15th President of India Droupadi Murmu on her victory. 

Murmu crossed the 50% mark after the third round. got 5,77,777 votes after third round of counting against Yashwant Sinha’s 2,61,062 votes.

Also read: Watch: India celebrates Droupadi Murmu, its first tribal President

“I join my fellow citizens in congratulating Smt Droupadi Murmu on her victory in the Presidential Election 2022. India hopes that as the 15th President of the Republic she functions as the Custodian of the Constitution without fear or favour,” Sinha tweeted. 

Also read: From Mayurbhanj to Raisina Hills: Droupadi Murmu’s journey to presidency

Droupadi Murmu is from the Santhal tribe in Odisha. The 64-year-old  was the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021. Born in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district in 1958,  she was the first governor to complete a full five-year term since Jharkhand was formed in 2000.    

“Despite the outcome of the election, I believe it has benefited Indian democracy in two important ways. It brought most opposition parties on a common platform. This is indeed the need of the hour, and I earnestly appeal to them to continue – indeed, further strengthen – opposition unity beyond the Presidential Election. It must be equally evident in the election of the Vice-President,” he added.

Also read: What happened to Droupadi Murmu’s sons and husband Shyam Charan?

“I also thank all members of the Electoral College who voted for me. I accepted the offer of Opposition parties solely guided by the philosophy of Karma Yoga preached by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita — ‘Do your duty without expectation of the fruits thereof’,” Sinha further added.

PM Narendra Modi, Murmu’s predecessor Ram Nath Kovid, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh were amongst many to congratulate Mumru. 

Also read: Droupadi Murmu: A story of many firsts

“Congratulations to Smt Draupadi Murmu ji for registering an effective victory in the Presidential election. She has been active for public welfare in villages, poor, underprivileged as well as in slums. Today she has risen from among them to the highest constitutional position. This is a proof of the strength of Indian democracy,” Rajnath Singh said on Twitter. 

“Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji’s life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden,” PM Modi said on a Twitter thread.