Presidential polls: Elect me to save democracy, says Yashwant Sinha

Noida, July 18: Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha on Monday urged all MPs and MLAs to vote for him to save the democracy adding that he was not just fighting a political fight, but a fight against government agencies too.

"This election is very important and will set the path for the country's democracy, whether it will stay or end. I appeal to all voters to listen to their hearts. This is a secret ballot and I hope they will use their discretion and elect me to save democracy," said Yashwant Sinha.

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Targeting the Centre, he alleged that they had become too powerful that they were breaking up parties, forcing people to vote for them and said there was also a game of money involved. "I am not just fighting a political fight, but a fight against government agencies too. They have become too powerful. They are breaking up parties, forcing people to vote for them. There is also a game of money involved," he added.

Punjab's Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said 99 per cent of the votes from Punjab were going to Yashwant Sinha. However, BJP's MLA from Darjeeling Neeraj Tamang Zimba expressed confidence that Droupadi Murmu would ill emerge victorious in the presidential elections.

"This (Presidential poll) is just a formality. She has already won. Statistics say that Droupadi Murmu will become the first tribal woman President of the country. It's a joyous occasion. There's support from everywhere. It is historic," he said.

Minutes ahead of the commencement of voting for the Presidential election, BJP president JP Nadda hailed the candidature of Droupadi Murmu. "Draupadi Murmu's candidacy for the highest office is a defining moment for India & the most glorious moment in our quest for social justice and transformation. This is an election for the "People's President" I have penned a few thoughts," Nadda said in a tweet.

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Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to cast his vote in Parliament as voting for the presidential election began on Monday in which NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.

National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu and joint opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha are the two contesting candidates for election to the Office of the President.

Yashwant Sinha and Droupadi Murmu

-PTC News