Drupadi Murmu, from the eastern Indian state of Odisha, was nominated by Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a candidate for the ceremonial office. Modi in a tweet congratulated Murmu, stressing that his “exemplary success motivates every Indian”. “He has emerged as a beacon of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalized and oppressed,” he added.

Murmu’s main opponent, Yashwant Sinha, a former BJP member and former finance and foreign minister, who is backed by opposition parties, also praised the new president. India hopes to act “as a guardian of the Constitution without fear or favoritism”, he wrote.

Murmu will become India’s second female president after Pratibha Patil, who has served for five years since 2007. She succeeds Ram Nath Kovind, the country’s second president from the lowest Dalit community in the caste system, also called “untouchables”.

Born in Mayurbhanj district in Odisha state, he started his professional life as an elementary school teacher before taking up political office.

“Tribal Rights”

He has held ministerial posts in the state government, and served as governor of the neighboring state of Jharkhand. “As a woman from a tribal community in the remote district of Mayurbhanj, I did not expect to be a candidate for the post,” she told reporters after her nomination by the BJP.

His election was taken for granted because of the dominance of the BJP and its allies in parliament and state assemblies. Since this position is largely ceremonial, his election should not result in significant changes for the tribal community, which has long been relegated to the margins of society.

“We have been fighting for tribal rights since the 1990s,” said activist Dayamani Barla. “He will only be able to do something if he is allowed to use his pen,” he added.

India’s prime minister holds executive power, but the president can return some bills from parliament for reconsideration.