Bhubaneswar: NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu got a rousing send-off at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, as she left for Delhi on Thursday. She is likely to file her nomination papers on June 24.
She reached the airport, where supporters had gathered to greet her, from the MCL guest house amid tight security this morning. Folk dances were performed in her honour.
Murmu is pitted against Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.
The BJD support for Murmu, however, has almost ensured that she will achieve 50 per cent of the first preference votes of the electoral college required to become the next President. The NDA has around 48 per cent of the votes while the BJD has 2.85 per cent of the votes.
Once elected, she will be the first Odia, and the first tribal to occupy the highest constitutional post.
The 16th presidential election is scheduled for July 18 and the counting of votes will take place on July 21.
