“Not just fighting a political battle, but against govt agencies and game of money involved”: Yashwant Sinha

Yashwant Sinha, the Opposition candidate for Presidential election being held today, said that the election will set the path for the country’s democracy and hoped all political parties would vote in his favour “to save democracy and protect the Constitution”.

Sinha – who was Cabinet minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and joined Trinamool Congress later – said this as the presidential election started this morning. “This election will set the path for the country’s democracy. I hope all political parties vote in my favour to save democracy and protect the Constitution,” he said. He appealed to all to listen to their “inner voice” and support him. “This is a secret ballot. I appeal to all MPs and MLAs to use their discretion and elect me,” he said.

The President is elected by members of the Electoral College, comprising elected members of both houses of the Parliament and legislative assemblies of all states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry. No party whip can be issued for the voting and MPs and MLAs can vote for whichever candidate they want.

Sinha is competing against NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu. Counting will be held on July 21 and the new President of India will take oath on July 25.

“I am not just fighting a political battle, but a fight against government agencies too. They have become too powerful and there is also a game of money involved,” he said. Sinha said that Droupadi Murmu is “supported by those who are mounting daily attacks on democracy”. He said that the Presidential election is not about two candidates but a contest between two ideologies.