Chandigarh

Former National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday decided to support the alliance’s presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu in the forthcoming presidential poll.

A party statement said that Murmu “symbolises the cause of minorities, the exploited and backward classes as well as the women and has emerged as a symbol of the poor and tribal segments in the country".

SAD had broken away from the NDA over their opposition to the three agricultural laws last year.

The resolution passed by the core committee of the party said, "While our serious reservations with the BJP over the prevailing atmosphere of mounting divisive and communal polarisation, especially the growing insecurity in the minds of the members of the minority communities, under the NDA government remains strongly intact, SAD is eventually inspired and guided by the ideals placed before humanity in supporting Murmu as she not only symbolises the dignity of womenfolk but also belongs to the downtrodden”.

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The SAD president, Sukhbir Singh Badal met Murmu along with senior party members and offered the party’s support to her.