New Delhi, Jul 04, 2022, By Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Jul 4: The joint opposition candidate in the presidential polls, Yashwant Sinha, Monday dared his NDA opponent Droupadi Murmu to take a pledge that she will not be a rubber stamp to the government, drawing an instant retort from the BJP.
   
Sinha took a pledge to serve as an impartial custodian of the Constitution and not be a "rubber stamp" to the government, as also to uphold the country's plural nature, and said he will protect the rights of people, including the right to freedom of speech and expression.
    
"Will the BJP's candidate make the same pledge?" he asked, drawing an angry retort from the BJP.

"To ensure a better future for all Indians, the Rashtrapati must work conscientiously. I pledge that, upon being elected as President, I'll serve as an impartial custodian of the Constitution; not a rubber stamp for the government. I urge the BJP's candidate to make the same pledge," Sinha wrote on Twitter.
    
Posting the pledge to the people of the country, he said, "I hereby affirm that India needs a Rashtrapati who serves as the impartial custodian of the Constitution and not a silent or a rubber-stamp Rashtrapati. Will the BJP's candidate make the same pledge?"

Sinha is a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member who was a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government.

Incidentally, Murmu is a tribal who hails from Odisha and the BJP has touted her tribal background.
    
The presidential polls to elect incumbent Ram Nath Kovind's successor will be held on July 18. Only Sinha and Murmu are in the fray for the contest for the country's top constitutional post.

Hitting back at Sinha for his "rubber stamp Rashtrapati" remark, BJP national general secretary C T Ravi said harbouring a feeling that Murmu is not suitable for the position depicts one's "nasty mindset" of indulging in a false propaganda against a self-made adivasi woman, who has proved her capability.