Meira Kumar files presidential election nomination, says it is a fight of ideology

New Delhi : Accompanied by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders, opposition candidate Meira Kumar on Wednesday filed her nomination for the July 17 Presidential election, which she termed "a fight of ideology for democratic principles".

"From today our fight has begun. This is the fight of ideology. Our ideology is too democratic principles, press freedom, inclusiveness and freedom of expression," Meira Kumar told reporters after filing her nomination at Parliament House here.

"We believe in implementing this ideology," she said.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker said the "country today stands at the crossroads from where one way leads to the place where there is no one to raise the voice for Dalits and backwards.

"While another way leads to the place where there is equal representation for all," Meira Kumar added.

Earlier, opposition leaders, including from the Congress and Left, accompanied Meira Kumar for the nomination. They first assembled at Parliament's Gate Number 1 and later left for the Lok Sabha Secretary General's chamber to file the nomination.

Besides Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, the other leaders present were NCP chief Sharad Pawar, BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D. Raja and TMC leader Derek O'Brien.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were also present.

RJD Chief Lalu Yadav was not present.

Before reaching Parliament House, Meira Kumar visited Raj Ghat and Samta Sthal, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and her father Babu Jagjivan Ram respectively. 

Meira Kumar is pitted against NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind.