Meira Kumar files nomination for LS Speaker's post

New Delhi, June 2 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Meira Kumar filed her nomination for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker on Tuesday.

Kumar was nominated for the post by the UPA Government on Monday. On the same day, she resigned as the Union Minister for Water Resources.

If elected, Kumar will be the country's first woman Speaker.

Kumar hails from the Dalit community and is better known as the daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram.

Born in Patna in 1945, she is law graduate and holds a Masters in English literature. he joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1973 and served at the embassies in Spain, United Kingdom and Mauritius.

Kumar was elected from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh in 1985. She became Member of Parliament in the 11th and 12th Lok Sabha by contesting from Delhi's Karol Bagh constituency.

In 1999, she lost her seat, but was re-elected by a record majority from Sasaram in Bihar in 2004.

In 2004, she was inducted into the first Manmohan Singh cabinet, as Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

On May 29, 2009, she assumed charge as the Union Minister for Water Resources in the newly elected UPA Government.

She is married to Manjul Kumar, a Supreme Court lawyer. The couple have three married children. (ANI)