Meira Kumar meets NE politicians, says got assurance from all

Guwahati, July 5 (IANS) Stressing that presidential election is fought on ideologies, opposition's presidential candidate Meira Kumar on Wednesday said she is hopeful of support from the legislators of the northeastern states, irrespective of their party lines.

Earlier in the day, the former Lok Sabha Speaker visited Meghalaya and met the leaders of other northeastern states at a function held in Assam's capital town Guwahati and said she had received assurance of support from most of the political leaders in the northeastern region.

"A total of 17 parties have decided to elect me as their candidate for the presidential polls. These parties may differ in their opinion on different issues but they are unanimous in one ideology, the ideology that I am fighting for. The fight will be tough," she said while addressing the press conference.

"This is also a fight to ensure that the democratic values of the country are protected. I have appealed to all the leaders to support me and I hope I'll get the support of everyone gradually," she said.

"I am fighting for an ideology which is accepted by all in the country -- the ideology that makes all of us as one despite so many diverse religion and ethnicity," she said, adding that there was an urgent need to protect this ideology.

"I have met the ruling as well as opposition leaders of Meghalaya today (Wednesday). The Chief Minister as well as the opposition leaders have assured that they would support me," she mentioned.

Asked about Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to support the NDA's presidential candidate, Kumar only said that she had written letters to all the leaders of the country and that she was hopeful of their support in the forthcoming polls.

"Besides, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had met all the major opposition parties in the country and all the leaders of those parties had unanimously decided to back me as their candidate in the presidential polls," she added.