As the presidential elections progressed through the day, cross-voting in favour of NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was reported from both the Congress and the NCP. Gujarat NCP MLA Kandhal S. Jadeja said he has voted for Murmu. Odisha Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim said voting for Murmu was his "personal decision". "I am a Congress MLA, but I have voted for NDA's presidential candidate. It is my personal decision as I have listened to my heart, which guided me to do something for the soil," he said, news agency ANI reported.
Both the Congress and the NCP support the opposition presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha.
Sinha had said on Monday that the presidential poll would decide the direction of the country as to whether democracy will remain or not, as he appealed to electors to listen to their "inner voice" and support him. Sinha has repeatedly urged lawmakers to vote with the call of conscience in the election, where the win of NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu is a forgone conclusion with several non-NDA parties also supporting the candidature of the tribal leader.
"I have repeatedly said that this election is very important as it will decide the direction as to whether democracy will remain in India or will slowly end. The indications that we are getting is that we are moving towards its end," Sinha told reporters.
He appealed to Parliamentarians and legislators across the country to listen to their "inner voice" and support him in the election. "There is no party whip. This is a secret ballot. I appeal to all MPs and MLAs to use their discretion and elect me to save democracy," he said.
