Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will be the opposition candidate for Presidential elections against NDA’s Ram Nath Kovind. Announcement in this regard was made by Congress President Sonia Gandhi after the meeting of opposition parties in New Delhi this evening. She appealed to all opposition parties to support Meira Kumar. Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad told media that all the 17 opposition parties unanimously decided to field Meira Kumar.

A five-time MP, Ms Kumar is a former IFS Officer and daughter of Congress veteran Babu Jagjivan Ram. The meeting was attended by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M), RJD Chief Lalu Prasad, Sharad Pawar of NCP, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav, BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra, DMK leader Kanimozhi among others.

On the other hand, NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind is set to file his nomination papers at 11.30 AM on Friday.Chief Ministers of BJP ruled states, senior leaders of NDA and others will be present on the occasion.

Our correspondent reports that even though the NDA has edge over the opposition in the presidential elections, the decision to pit Meira Kumar against Ram Nath Kovind has made the election a certainty and an interesting political battle. The opposition led by Congress seems to have been forced to field a candidate from Dalit community following NDA’s decision to name Mr. Kovind who also hails from same community.

Political observers say the candidature of Dalit leaders by both the ruling and the opposition parties indicates that the two sides are vying to widen their support base among the community. However, Congress’ attempt to bring all opposition groups on one platform has misfired with JD(U) deciding to support the NDA nominee. On the other hand, RJD’s support to Meira Kumar may create ripples in the RJD-JD(U)-Congress coalition in Bihar.