Accusing the BJP Government of imposing its regressive ideology on the nation, Congress presidential candidate Meira Kumar on Thursday said the election is a battle of ideologies.
Kumar was in the state on Thursday to garner support for the election. She said she was contesting the election on various issues, including inclusive society, transparency, social justice, eradication of caste system, religious equality and press freedom.
While talking to media persons, she said, “I am fighting for you as freedom of the press has been muscled of late,” she said while addressing members of the media. It is an honour that 17 mainstream political parties chose her to fight the election.
When asked whether she accepted that the BJP and her own party, Congress, was playing the dalit card for the presidential election, Kumar candidly said that she was against any such politics and was quick to add that they (Congress) did not start this.
"I have written letters to the members of the electorate and urged them to vote on the basis of their conscience," she said adding that in the past as well elections have been fought and won on the voices of consciences.
“We are living in 21st century and moving towards modernisation and I have time and again urged everyone to pack the casteism and bury it far away,” she further said, adding that the social and religious harmony has taken severe beating of late. Manuwadi approach and atrocities on dalits were on the rise in the recent past, she added.
Referring to the UPA rule, she claimed that her government brought about RTI act without being coerced by any public agitation just to infuse transparency and accountability on Governance.
On ideological changes, she could bring in if she gets elected, given the feeble constitutional authority vested in the President, she said that a President is not weak and could influence changes with unhindered moral authority.