Presidential poll an articulation of what we stand for: Meira Kumar

Mumbai city news: The former Lok Sabha speaker has also appealed to all elected representatives across the political spectrum to heed their inner voice and support her in this election

Linking the rise in mob attacks in the name of protecting cows to the upcoming presidential elections, Meira Kumar, the UPA candidate, said this is just not a contest for the supreme post, but a strong ‘articulation’ against what is happening and what we stand for.

Meira Kumar, the UPA candidate for the presidential election, addresses a press conference at Nariman Point on Friday. (Bhushan Koyande)

The former Lok Sabha speaker has also appealed to all elected representatives across the political spectrum to heed their inner voice and support her in this election.

“The situation in the country is worrisome. Every morning I pray I don’t get to read stories about such killings in the newspaper. Such incidents was never existed and have started now,” she said.

“The government at the Centre is in a strong position and hence I expect strong action from them to curb this menace,” she said, when asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement against the killings in tshe name of alleged cow slaughter.

The 72-year old politician was in Mumbai to meet legislators of the political parties that have agreed to extend their support. Kumar met leaders and legislators from the NCP, SP, Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWP), Republican Party of India (Gavai), Peoples Republican Party (PRP), among others at the Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium, Nariman Point.

The election to the highest office of the country is going to be held on July 17 this year. The Congress-led UPA has nominated Meira Kumar against Ram Nath Kovind, the BJP-led NDA candidate for the polls.

She also expressed displeasure over the elections being viewed as a contest between two Dalit leaders — Meira Kumar and Ram Nath Kovind. “Today we are living in 2017 and we need to develop our mindset along with developing our cities and villages. Why is the election being viewed as a fight between Dalit leaders? Why aren’t qualities and experience discussed, alike previous elections when two leaders from upper caste were contesting,” said the five-term MP.

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