Presidential Election: Opposition Pits Meira Kumar Against NDA's Ram Nath Kovind

New Delhi: The Opposition parties on Thursday declared the name of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar as their Presidential candidate against NDA's Ram Nath Kovind. The Opposition was jolted by the decision of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after he decided to back the National Democratic Alliance's candidate on Wednesday.

However, Congress President Sonia Gandhi categorically denied that she was upset with Nitish over his decision to back Ram Nath Kovind. Sonia also exhorted all the political parties to support Meira's candidature.

With Opposition fielding a candidate, a contest is likely on the cards. The Bharatiya Janata Party had sprung a surprise a few days ago when it broke from tradition to field a Dalit candidate, Ram Nath Kovind.

The Opposition was quick to communicate its disapproval of Kovind's candidature, saying they were not taken on board. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that there were better and more known Dalit leaders than Ram Nath Kovind.

"Nitish had informed me of his decision over the phone. I advised him not to support Kovind. I don't know what happened after that. Now, everybody knows what he has done. He was pitching for Opposition's unity, and it's he who backtracked," Yadav said, adding "Nitish and I joined hands to keep the anti-secular forces at bay. The alliance stays."

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, declaring support for Meira, said that it doesn't matter if the BJP has the majority. "Meira Kumar is a strong candidate... We will give our support to Meira Kumar," he said.