Unfazed by JD(U)’s decision to back NDA’s Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, major opposition parties will meet in Delhi on Thursday amid indications that former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar could be their nominee for the presidential election. Meira Kumar met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her residence on Wednesday. Though there was no official word about the meeting, it is widely believed that Meira Kumar could be the opposition’s choice against Kovind. Like Kovind, Meira Kumar belongs to the Dalit community. She was the first woman speaker of Lok Sabha and also has been a Union Minister. Ahead of meeting of opposition parties, Communist Party of India leader D Raja said that JD(U) was one of the opposition parties which had come together to field a common candidate in the presidential polls and its parting ways will not have any bearing on the stance of other parties. [caption id=“attachment_1551453” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Meira Kumar. Reuters[/caption] “It is one party. We are 17 parties who came together on the issue. (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar has taken such a position, it is for him. It does not mean all others follow Nitish Kumar,” Raja told IANS. Gandhi had taken the initiative to talk to opposition parties to evolve a consensus candidate in the presidential election. Nitish Kumar was among the leaders who met her and JD(U) leaders took part in all meetings of the grouping. JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav was also a member of the sub-committee formed by opposition parties to decide the presidential candidate. The Left parties are keen to put up a candidate against Kovind in what they call an “ideological battle”. Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Wednesday that there would be a “strong candidate” against Kovind. “The question is of a political battle — whether the basics of our Constitution would be protected or RSS would convert the country into a Hindu Rashtra (nation),” Yechury said. It remains to be seen if BSP, which has also said that it cannot oppose a Dalit candidate unless the opposition has a more popular Dalit nominee, attends the opposition meeting. For the record, the Congress said the question whether they would be putting up a candidate against Kovind will be known only after Thursday’s meeting. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, whose father Mulayam Singh Yadav is toeing a different line, said that his party would go with the opposition led by Congress. “There should be no talk about whether a Dalit should be there (be a President)… caste or religion. Whoever would be the protector of the Constitution should be above caste and religion,” he said adding that his party would attend the opposition’s meeting on Thursday. The other name doing the rounds as possible opposition candidates is of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who also belong to the Dalit community.
Presidential Elections 2017 highlights: Meira Kumar picked for credentials, not Dalit status, says Opposition
Major opposition parties will meet in Delhi on Thursday amid indications that former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar could be their nominee.
 "Presidential Elections 2017 highlights: Meira Kumar picked for credentials, not Dalit status, says Opposition")
Ram Nath Kovind meets Mehbooba Mufti
Srinagar: NDA Presidential Candidate #RamNathKovnid reaches the residence of J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti. pic.twitter.com/UIxTImofPR
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2017
Meira Kumar files nomination even as numbers stack up against her
Even as Meira Kumar’s candidature was approved by 17 opposition political parties, the numbers are clearly in favour of Ram Nath Kovind.
A total of 4,120 MLAs and 776 MPs would cast their votes in the presidential election on 17 July. Kovind fielded by the NDA is expected to garner almost 60 percent of votes with the help of support extended by several non-NDA parties such as JD(U), BJD, and both factions of AIADMK.
JD(U) asserts Presidential polls one off incident, Opposition unity stands strong
Our alliance in Bihar is strong, different views over #PresidentialPoll has nothing to do with the alliance or Govt: KC Tyagi,JDU pic.twitter.com/429bmXaqkn
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2017
Meanwhile… Oppn denies cracks over presidential poll candidate
Presidential poll candidate has become a bone of contention between JD(U) and the rest of the opposition parties. While JD(U) declared its support for NDA’s Ram Nath Kovind for being Bihar’s former governor, Congress fielded Meira Kumar, another Dalit and daughter of prominent leader from the state Jagjivan Ram.
However, Nitish’s decision to stand by Kovind has started rumours that the Opposition unity may not be as strong as the Congress would like to portray.
She represents the values that binds us as a nation: Rahul Gandhi on Meira Kumar
Congress' Rahul Gandhi @OfficeOfRG says proud of Opposition Presidential candidate Meira Kumar @meira_kumar #MeiraKumar4President pic.twitter.com/1U2HNgj7FM
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) June 28, 2017
Meira Kumar to pick up ‘ideological fight’ from 30 June in Gujarat
Meira Kumar is likely to launch her campaign from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad in Gujarat after her nomination papers are cleared on Thursday.
“I feel I should start my election campaign from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. I will start from there,” said Kumar briefing media in New Delhi, a day ahead of filing her nomination papers.
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.”
Who is Meira Kumar, Oppn presidential nominee
Meira Kumar entered electoral politics in 1985 when she joined Congress and is a five-time Lok Sabha MP. Kumar, the daughter of prominent Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, has beaten powerful Dalit leaders like Ram Vilas Paswan and Mayawati to win in Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. She is also the first woman to become the Lok Sabha Speaker. Read more about her family background and political career here.
Ram Nath Kovind finishes nomination procedures on last day of filing papers
BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu filed fourth set of nomination papers on behalf of Kovind to conclude the nomination formalities for the NDA’s presidential pick. The Presidential elections, slated for 17 July, will see a race between Opposition’s Meira Kumar and Kovind, who has a decided advantage given to the strength of the ruling party in the House.
Union minister Venkaiah Naidu files fourth set of nomination papers on behalf of NDA presidential candidate #RamNathKovind.
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2017
Opposition leaders, sans JDU, attend Meira Kumar’s nomination
In yet another bid to underscore Opposition’s unity, leaders from various political parties flanked Kumar as she reached Parliament House to file her nomination papers. From Congress President Sonia Gandhi, to All India Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’ Brian, prominent leaders from several opposition parties made appearances alongside Kumar.
However, JD(U)’s presence was noticeably missing from the scene, which had pledged support to NDA’s candidate Ram Nath Kovind, even before Kumar’s candidature was announced.
Opposition Presidential candidate #MeiraKumar files her nomination pic.twitter.com/9XBCX138eU
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2017
Meira Kumar files nomination
Flanked by major Opposition leaders, including CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and TMC’s DereK O’ Brian among others.
Against the ideology of divisiveness she represents the values that bind us as a nation&a ppl.Proud to have @meira_kumar ji as our candidate https://t.co/R7M5udN44y
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 28, 2017
Meira Kumar arrives in Parliament to file her nomination
Opposition Presidential candidate #MeiraKumar arrives in Parliament to file her nomination pic.twitter.com/F1HmBQXuUS
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2017
Meira Kumar responds to Sushma Swaraj’s allegations against her
Responding to Union minister Sushma Swaraj’s releasing a video of a Lok Sabha speech to indicate how she was treated as leader of opposition, Kumar said leaders of various parties had never criticised her for her style of functioning but appreciated it.
“None had alleged that my style of functioning was biased.”
Meira Kumar pays homage at Rajghat before filing her nomination
Delhi: Opposition Presidential candidate #MeiraKumar pays tribute at Rajghat before filing her nomination pic.twitter.com/qGGIYqC9lZ
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2017
Controversies from the past come back to haunt Oppn presidential candidate
Controversies from her past has come back to haunt Meira Kumar, who will file her nomination papers today. Kumar has been embroiled in a controversy over a government bungalow allotted to her. It is alleged that using her influence as the Lok Sabha speaker, she apparently got it converted into a memorial for her father.
Kumar, however, brushed aside these allegations, adding that due process was followed in the move.
“These charges are baseless and are being levelled with the intent of tarnishing my image. The government has given the bungalow to a government body and later a government office.”
Tomorrow morning at 10 AM, I will pay homage at Rajghat and Samta Sthal, the samadhis of Mahatma Gandhi and my father, Babu Jagjivan Ram.
— Meira Kumar (@meira_kumar) June 27, 2017
Meira Kumar to pay homage at Rajghat, Samta Sthal
Opposition’s presidential nominee and former Lok Sabha speaker Kumar said that she will pay her respects at the Samadhis of Mahatma Gandhi and Jagjivan Ram, her father before she files her nomination papers at 11.30 am.
Meira Kumar to file nomination at 11.30 am
Meira Kumar will file a set of four nomination papers which will be proposed and seconded by leaders of a number of opposition parties. She will file her papers at 11:30 AM in Parliament before the Lok Sabha Secretary General, the returning officer for the 17 July presidential election.
PTI
Haven’t yet made up my mind over appealing to JD(U) for support: Meira Kumar
As Nitish Kumar, a Congress ally in Bihar, declared his support for the NDA candidate, Meira Kumar said that she had not yet decided on whether to appeal to Bihar Chief Minister to support her nomination.
However, she had already reached out to each member of the electorate through her letter two days ago in which she made an emotional appeal to their “voice of inner conscience”.
In a political comeback, Congress had named Meira the presidential nominee after BJP named Ram Nath Kovind as its presidential pick. While Kovind was the governor of Biihar, Meira hails from the state and is the daughter of a prominent politican Jagjivan Ram. Both Kovind and Meira are Dalits.
Recent attacks on Dalits, minorities shameful: Meira Kumar
Meira Kumar described recent attacks on Dalits as “shameful”, even as she said that it was unfortunate that the elections to a constitutional post are being reduced to the discussion around the candidates’ caste.
“We should hang our heads in shame, even if there is one incident of violence against Dalits.” “Even today in our country, atrocities are being
committed on Dalits, the oppressed and weaker sections… my fight is against that,” Kumar added.
Congress slams Sushma Swaraj for attacking its presidential nominee
Congress party criticised External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for targeting the Opposition’s presidential nominee Meira Kumar. The Opposition leaders said that Kumar is a credible person, and that is a well known fact. Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said that Swaraj, while holding a responsible office, should refrain from making such comments, Deccan Chronicle reported.
The External Affairs Minister on Sunday posted a video of former Kumar, who was the former Lok Sabha speaker, on Twitter which she , “This is how Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar treated the Leader of Opposition.” Vadakkan’s reponse came in light of the aforementioned tweet.
Meira Kumar will file nomination today
The opposition’s presidential candidate Meira Kumar will file her nomination papers on Wednesday, the last date of filing nominations. Apart from prominent Congerss leaders, leaders of 16 other parties supporting her, including NCP’s Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, CPI-M’s Sitaram Yechury and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad are also expected to be present during the filing of nomination.
Matter of great shame that there is violence against Dalits: Meira Kumar
“It is a matter of great shame for us. We should hang our heads in shame if there is even one incident of violence against Dalits or the weaker sections of the society,” Meira Kumar said. “This is my fight.”
Such things happen in politics, I will decide what to do at the right time: Meira Kumar on JDU supporting #RamNathKovind pic.twitter.com/sr8DpZygTw
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2017
Meira Kumar to start her campaign from Sabarmati Ashram
I will go to Sabarmati Ashram,will start my campaign from there: Meira Kumar pic.twitter.com/MEKNFrzvEZ
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2017
‘Dalit vs Dalit’ tag shows us how society thinks: Meira Kumar
“I will go to Sabarmati ashram first to campaign for the election,” Meira Kumar said. “Through this fight, the truth in the society is coming out. This ‘Dalit vs Dalit’ tag shows us how the society thinks.”
“Caste should locked up in a piece of cloth and be buried deep underground,” she said.
Meira Kumar again asks people to listen to their ‘inner voice’
“In the coming election, this ideology will be the plank on which I contest. Two days ago, I wrote letters to all the honourable members of the Collegium, requesting them to extend their support to me,” Kumar said.
“History is being scripted and this is the time when one should listen to one’s inner voice,” said the former Lok Sabha Speaker.
Unity of the opposition parties is based on a common ideology: Meira Kumar pic.twitter.com/JLYrTorwQG
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2017
Unity of Opposition parties based on common ideals: Meira Kumar
“You all are aware of the political events in current times,” Meira Kumar said.
“I am thankful to all the 17 parties who supported my nomination,” Kumar said. “The unity of Opposition parties is based on common ideology. They are based on social justice, democratic ideals, freedom of press, end to poverty and casteism.”
“These principles are very close to my heart,” she said.
The importance of Presidential election 2017 for Bihar politics
Time has come full circle in Bihar. The kind of political upheaval that the state is experiencing because of the presidential election is reminiscent of what had happened four years ago.
On 16 June, 2013, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar broke his party’s 17-year-old alliance with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), protesting against the elevation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was then appointed as the chiarman of BJP’s election campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Friction between the BJP and Janata Dal (United) started surfacing as soon as demands of moving Modi from Gujarat and giving him a bigger responsibility in the general election started gaining momentum.
Read the full analysis here .
Kovind set for a comfortable victory
Set for a comfortable victory, NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind may bag over 62 percent votes but fall short of the 69 percent votes polled by incumbent Pranab Mukherjee in 2012.
With the battle lines drawn in the first-ever Dalit versus Dalit presidential contest, the odds are heavily stacked in favour of the saffron brigade candidate Kovind who is set to get around 7 lakh votes which is around two-thirds of the total 10,98,903 votes of the electoral college.
The joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar is likely to bag around 4 lakh votes despite the support of many regional parties like the RJD, traditional rivals the SP and the BSP and the TMC and the CPM.
Read the full PTI report here .
Sushma Swaraj had shared a video from 2013 to express her disapproval of Meira Kumar
Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter on Sunday to express her disapproval of former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar.
Swaraj shared a video from 2013 on the social media site showcasing Meira’s behaviour towards Swaraj inside the Parliament.
Swaraj was the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Meira was the Lok Sabha speaker. In the video, Swaraj discusses the corruption in the government, which back then was the UPA-II government.
Read the full article here .
(Updates begin for 27 June)
Meira Kumar to address media at around 12.30 pm
Kovind says he does not belong to any party
“Ever since I became governor, I don’t belong to any political party. The post of president is above party politics. I am thankful to everybody for their support,” Kovind told reporters.
“I will do my best to maintain dignity of the high office of the president,” he said.
Referring to national security, Kovind said, “The president is also the supreme commander of all three forces. It is our responsibility to keep our border secure.”
Kovind deserves to be the next president: Chandrababu Naidu
#Kovind deserves to become the next President of India, now everyone has to support his candidature. Opposition will lose: Andhra Pradesh CM pic.twitter.com/WtsiVRSSVg
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2017
Kovind has to file another set of nomination papers
According to India Today, Kovind filed three sets of nominations and will file another set on the last day of filing nomination.
Every set is signed by 60 leaders as proposers and 60 as seconders. This means that 480 MPs/MLAs have signed the nomination papers of Kovind.
The post of president should be above party politics: Ram Nath Kovind
Rashtrapati ka padd dalgat rajneeti se upar hona chahiye: Ram Nath Kovind after filing nomination papers for his presidential candidature pic.twitter.com/rRqj3NQtXm
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2017
Happy that I was selected as Oppn’s candidate: Meira Kumar
I am happy that I was unanimously selected as Opposition's Presidential nominee by 17 political parties: Meira Kumar #PresidentialPolls pic.twitter.com/euOjuXENuG
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2017
Thankful to all who supported me: Kovind
“I am thankful to all those who have supported me. I will try to maintain the dignity of the post,” ANI quoted Kovind as saying.
#WATCH:Visuals of NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi,Venkaiah Naidu,LK Advani,Amit Shah,Murli Manohar Joshi at Parliament pic.twitter.com/W7gMuNnTq3
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2017
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