‘Presidential poll about ideology, not caste’
NEW DELHI The upcoming presidential election is not a fight of castes but a battle of ideology, Opposition candidate Meira Kumar said on Tuesday.
Kumar, the daughter of iconic Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, rued that the polls were being seen as a “Dalit versus Dalit” contest. The caste system, she said, should be “buried deep down” in the earth.
At her first press conference after being nominated by 17 opposition parties against NDA’s Ram Nath Kovind, Kumar said, “We will undermine the importance of the president’s office if we say it’s a fight between people of particular caste.”
Both Kumar and Kovind are Dalit leaders. Kumar was the first woman speaker of Lok Sabha while Kovind is the former governor of Bihar, her home state. Even as the numbers are heavily tilted in favour of Kovind, Kumar refused to concede defeat. When asked if she is the losing candidate, Kumar hit back: “Why are you calling it a losing battle? I’m fighting and I might as well fight.”
“How can you predict the results of an election,” she retorted, adding she will seek support from all parties, including BJP allies. Kumar said she will start her campaign from Sabarmati, “as the place is associated with Mahatma Gandhi and his memories and ideology”.
Asked why Sabarmati, Kumar said, “Everybody knows the significance of Sabarmati in our country. The ‘sant’ of Sabarmati (Mahatma Gandhi) played an important role in the freedom movement of our country. That’s why I am going there.”
Asked about Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s stance and whether she will speak to him for his support, Kumar said, “Such things happen in politics. It is not a new thing. What I need to do about it, I will decide at the right time.”
NOT INTERESTED IN CONTESTING: NAIDU Union minister Venkaiah Naidu said on Tuesday that he will not participate in it. “Never am I going to participate in vice president elections even if anyone compels me,” he said, adding. “Happiness for me is to meet people, be among them and serve them. I cannot stay away from people by taking up any ceremonial position.”