Why should I be upset? I am a fighter, says Meira Kumar

The opposition nominee is currently trailing NDA's Ram Nath Kovind by more than 37,000 votes.

After the first round of counting for presidential election ended which showed NDA's candidate Kovind getting an early lead, combined opposition-backed nominee Meira Kumar on Thursday said that she isn't upset and that she is a fighter.

While speaking to media, Kumar said,''I am not upset, why should I be upset? I am a fighter, I fought for the belief and faith of majority of my countrymen and women.''

Earlier today, Kumar said,"I have fought this elections with faith, belief and confidence in the ideology. I also believe in inner voice of conscience." She was replying to questions of media persons just after the counting of votes cast in the July 17 presidential poll began in Parliament to decide her fate against NDA's candidate Ram Nath Kovind, who has a clear edge.

Kovind is expected to win the presidential race given that the BJP and its allies have a majority in electoral college comprising Members of Parliament and members of legislative assemblies and councils of all states.

Early returns today showed NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind leading with 60683 votes over opposition's Meira Kumar, who got 22941 votes in Assam, Arunachal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Returning Officer Anoop Mishra said.

Counting began at 11 am with the ballot box of Parliament House being opened first, followed by ballot boxes received from states in alphabetical order. The votes are being counted on four separate tables and there will be eight rounds of counting.

The final result is expected by evening that would decide the successor of President Pranab Mukherjee, who demits office on July 25.

OneIndia News