Shiromani Akali Dal announces support for NDA's presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu

PTI

Chandigarh, July 1

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced to support NDA’s presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu. Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal said SAD has extended support for Murmu, even though differences remain with the BJP.

Addressing the media here, Badal said, "We have unanimously decided to support Droupadi Murmu for the post of the President." Citing issues of farm laws and the release of Sikh prisoners, Badal said his party has "many differences with the BJP" but the SAD always worked for the poor and weaker section of society.

Meanwhile, BJP-led NDA's presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu started her campaign today from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. She arrived at Baddi today to meet the BJP MPs and MLAs and seek their support for her upcoming election.

All MLAs including Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, state party president and Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap, cabinet ministers, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur were among those present on the occasion.

Later, in Chandigrh Murmu met Haryana BJP-JJP MLAs and MPs as she started her campaign for the July 18 elections. Murmu was welcomed by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, Haryana BJP chief O P Dhankar and Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma at Haryana Bhawan in Chandigarh.

Both Himachal and Haryana are ruled by BJP and Murmu, a tribal leader from Odisha, is expected to get the support of the majority elected representatives from these states.