Meira Kumar in Kerala, seeks support

Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition’s presidential nominee Meira Kumar who arrived in the capital city seeking the support of the ruling and opposition fronts stressed the need to rid the society of caste prejudices and strive for the liberation of the Dalits. 

Addressing the MLAs belonging to both the LDF and the UDF here, the 72-year old Meira Kumar said Indian society is in the danger of intolerance. “There is so much fear around,” she said.

She said 17 major political parties unanimously decided in this election to articulate 'powerfully and strongly' their desire to face the same forces which are threatening the ideologies which the country holds so dear.  

“In this unanimous decision, many of the parties, who had hitherto followed different paths, joined hands together,” she said. “It is a great honour that they have reposed faith in me. The ideologies which we are fighting for are sacred. We fight for the most suppressed, most marginalised and the most humiliated.”

The former Lok Sabha speaker said Kerala is a “unique” State which boasts of cent per cent literacy which other states are striving hard to achieve. Ms Kumar praised the state for its record in communal harmony which has set an example on how to live together with peace, harmony, love and affection. 

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former chief ministers V. S. Achuthanandan and Oommen Chandy and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala were among those who shared the dais with Ms Kumar.

The chief minister said communal forces are unleashing violence and recently two siblings were attacked during a train journey with one of them losing his life. Mr Chennithala said the CPM-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF have set aside their differences to support Ms Kumar's candidature. 

The opposition candidate is likely to bag all the votes except that of BJP legislator O. Rajagopal.