New Delhi, June 27: Opposition presidential candidate Meira Kumar Tuesday said she would contest the election on the basis of ideology not caste, stressing that her plank would be destruction of the caste structure and protection of democratic values.
Kumar, who will contest against NDA’s Ram Nath Kovind for the post of president, described the presidential poll as a “battle of ideologies” and not a “Dalit versus Dalit” fight as was being out made out by some.
The former Lok Sabha speaker is likely to start her campaign from June 30 from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat after scrutiny of her nomination. She will file her papers Wednesday in the presence of top opposition leaders.
Addressing her first press conference after being chosen as the joint candidate of 17 opposition parties, she said, “This unity is based on their firm ideological positions, democratic values, inclusiveness, social justice, freedom of press, transparency, end of poverty, destruction of caste structure as some of those cherished values which form an important component of this ideology.
“This ideology is very close to my heart. In the coming election this will be my plank on which I will contest.” The fact that the election was being viewed as a contest between two Dalits reflected society’s mindset in her view.
“I don’t want that this election for the top position in the country should be contested on the basis of caste. No countryman would want that. We are fighting this on the basis of ideology,” said the former diplomat and daughter of Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram.
Never once was caste discussed in earlier presidential contests. What was up for discussion instead was the candidate’s virtues, eligibility and achievements. “But when Dalits contest, their caste is being discussed and their virtues become subordinate. So I can clearly see how society is thinking in 2017.
“I want that we should wrap caste and bury it deep inside the ground and our society should move forward.” Referring to the perception that her selection was on the basis of her caste, she said this was the election for the highest position in the land. Caste had no role. PTI
