King Pandu was a dear friend of king Draupada who regarded him as his counter self. He had all along cherished the desire of bestowing his this daughter on that Kuru prince (Pandu) as his daughter-in-law.
पाण्डुर्हि राजा द्रुपदस्य राज्ञः प्रियः सखा चात्मसमो बभूव। तस्यैष कामो दुहिता ममेयं स्नुषां प्रदास्यामि हि कौरवाय॥