Meira Kumar, the opposition's presidential nominee, on Saturday asserted that she was not a "scapegoat" in the upcoming election to the country's top constitutional post as she was fighting for an ideology.
"Anybody fighting for an ideology and appealing to the voice of conscience cannot be a scapegoat. I am a fighter and I will fight and I am sure that many will join me in this fight", she told reporters during her campaign visit to Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Union minister and Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athawale had taken a jibe at the Congress saying they were sacrificing Kumar by pitting her against Ram Nath Kovind, the National Democratic Alliance's presidential nominee. Interestingly, both the leaders are prominent Dalit faces.
A former Lok Sabha speaker and the daughter of iconic Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, Kumar has been selected the joint candidate by 17 opposition parties may still find it difficult to rake up support against Kovind who is being touted as the favourite to emerge victorious.
On being asked about gaining enough support from lawmakers, Kumar said she was fighting the poll on values and principles which were "sacred" to the people of the country.
Wherever I go, people tell me that I do not have the numbers. If I do not have the numbers, why don't you round up the figures and declare the results? Why have the elections?Meira Kumar, Presidential Candidate
Pointing out that she launched her campaign from the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, Kumar said that she will carry forward the values that Mahatma Gandhi laid there. "Someone has to take them up. I am taking up your fight also, do you want me to withdraw? Do you want me to get defeated? I am simply fighting", she said.
Kumar also termed “shameful” the fact that the presidential elections were being painted as a Dalit contest. “We have to come out of this mentality. Even in 2017, people with high qualifications are talking about castes”, she said.
When the contest is between me and Kovind, our caste is being discussed and there is no other talk. Where are we today? Where are we heading?Meira Kumar, Presidential Candidate
Kumar also said she had written a letter to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who said he would support for Kovind for personal reasons, and would decide on meeting him when she visits the eastern state.
Also Read: Opposition Enters Presidential Poll Battle With Dalit Vs Dalit Pitch
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