 "Presidential Election 2017: Meira Kumar urges electorate to decide in best interest of country")
New Delhi: Named by the opposition as its joint candidate for the presidential poll, Meira Kumar on Thursday appealed to the electorate to take their decision in the best interest of the country based on cherished values of social justice and inclusiveness and on principles and ideologies. She also thanked the 17 opposition parties for supporting her candidature and said she is delighted by the opposition unity that represents the coming together of forces which have a strong ideological base. “I would appeal to the collegium to take their decision in the best interest of the country, based on the cherished values and principles and ideologies. “These are social justice, inclusiveness and values of composite Indian heritage which we hold so sacred,” she told reporters after she was declared as the unanimous opposition candidate. [caption id=“attachment_3736207” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Meira Kumar. Reuters[/caption] Kumar, a former diplomat and union minister who has also held the post of Speaker of Lok Sabha, is the daughter of former deputy prime minister and tall Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram. Talking about the unity among opposition parties that came together to unanimously propose her name for the presidential election, she said, “this unity represents the coming together of the forces which have strong ideological base.” She said she was going to contest the election as the representative of a united opposition on the basis of the strong ideological base they have. “I express gratitude to 17 opposition parties who selected me as a candidate for the presidential election,” she said. Sonia Gandhi earlier announced her as joint opposition candidate for the post of President of India, the election for which would be held on 17 July. She will contest against NDA’s nominee Ram Nath Kovind, also a Dalit. Gandhi was supported by leaders of 17 opposition parties at the meeting where Kumar was chosen as their candidate for the presidential election.
Meira Kumar on Thursday appealed to the electorate to take their decision in the best interest of the country based on cherished values of social justice and inclusiveness and on principles and ideologies.
Advertisement
End of Article
 "US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth")
 "US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'")
 "China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands")
 "Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit")
 "US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth")
 "US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'")
 "China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands")
 "Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit")
](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/meira-reuters-380.jpg){kind=link}