It's a surprise, didn't think I'd be nominated: Droupadi Murmu

BHUBANESWAR: BJP-led NDA's presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu felt her eyes moisten as she heard what could be the biggest news of her chequered career from a TV channel on Tuesday evening. The 64-year-old said on Wednesday that the announcement came as "a bit of a surprise" to her.
"Some tears rolled down my eyes. Of course, I was very happy too," said Murmu, standing on the cusp of potentially becoming India's first tribal President, and only the second woman to rise to the highest office.
"Personally, I hadn't imagined my name would be announced. The decision-makers probably thought of a tribal face to occupy the highest position, and I think it's an example of how the government thinks in terms of sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas."
Murmu, a Santhal from Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, ground her way through poverty to become a teacher before carving out a career in public life. The former two-time MLA and erstwhile governor of Jharkhand sees her nomination by BJP for the post of President as "a huge responsibility" for which she hopes to seek everyone's support.
"I am thankful to those who believed in me," she said. "I will go to everyone (MLAs and MPs) and request their support. I will try my best to get everyone on board. I am hopeful and confident they will all back me."
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has already welcomed the BJP parliamentary board's presidential pick.