India
Here's how Twitter reacted to Shashi Tharoor's claims about Meira Kumar's 'qualificaitions'.
Updated : Jun 23, 2017, 04:50 PM IST
Named by the opposition as its joint candidate for the presidential poll, Meira Kumar appealed to the electorate to take their decision in the best interest of the country based on cherished values of social justice and inclusiveness and on principles and ideologies.
She also thanked the 17 opposition parties for supporting her candidature and said she is delighted by the opposition unity that represents the coming together of forces which have a strong ideological base.
"I would appeal to the collegium to take their decision on the best interest of the country, based on the cherished values and principles and ideologies.
"These are social justice, inclusiveness and values of composite Indian heritage which we hold so sacred," she told reporters after she was declared as the unanimous opposition candidate.
Kumar, a former diplomat and union minister who has also held the post of Speaker of Lok Sabha, is the daughter of former deputy prime minister and tall Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram.
Talking about the unity among opposition parties that came together to unanimously propose her name for the presidential election, she said, "this unity represents the coming together of the forces which have strong ideological base."
She said she was going to contest the election as the representative of a united opposition on the basis of the strong ideological base they have.
"I express gratitude to 17 opposition parties who selected me as a candidate for the presidential election," she said.
Meanwhile Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expresssed his support for Kumar on Twitter saying: "Meira Kumar: ex-IFS officer, UnionMinister for 9 yrs, Parliamentary experience of 25 yrs, LokSabha Speaker 5 yrs. It's about qualifications!"
However, Twitter was quick to react:
Meira Kumar: ex-IFS officer, UnionMinister for 9 yrs, Parliamentary experience of 25 yrs, LokSabha Speaker 5 yrs. It's about qualifications! pic.twitter.com/lYia7JWKfi
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 22, 2017
Impressive ...Make her the President of Congress Party ... https://t.co/3DrqST7t9E
— Dr Shobha (@DrShobha) June 23, 2017
If it's all about qualification then Rahul Gandhi doesn't even qualify for a gatekeeper job forget about Prime Minister of India. https://t.co/kESvf1dstb
— Phd in Bakchodi !! (@Atheist_Krishna) June 22, 2017
Not abt qualifications alone!Personal integrity matters!Presidential nominee gobbling up taxpayer funds by not paying dues of 2Cr,is a shame https://t.co/ezr9O7u1Uk
— Sanju Verma (@Sanju_Verma_) June 23, 2017
Why don't you make her Congress President? Clearly more qualified than RaGa! https://t.co/KMpfcPLRMD
— Al-Sanghi (@AlSanghi) June 22, 2017
Father : forgot to pay Income Tax for 10 years.
— TheFrustratedIndian (@FrustIndian) June 23, 2017
Daughter : forgot to pay rent for 20 years
It's all about dynasty and corruption.. https://t.co/LeO2WX7Srq
U want 2 make her President of India but do not consider her fit to b the President of @INCIndia
— Anon Hindustani (@anon_bhartiya) June 23, 2017
Congress 1
India 0https://t.co/14OOR0qxAA
Why "Dalit icon" Meira Kumar with "such qualifications" was ignored as Presidential candidate for the last two presidential election by UPA? https://t.co/KJSwpOANqx
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) June 23, 2017
Declared too late by the opposition. Outsmarted by BJP on this one. https://t.co/VrJYJ3cFSF
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) June 22, 2017
Farrago Sir. She is highly qualified so you should proposed her name for Next president of @INCIndia https://t.co/gMplK82ZSB
— Ashu Dwivedi (@No1kaChamcha) June 22, 2017
Madam's Electricity Invoice Rather Astronomical; Kovind Undoubtedly More A Rashtrapati.https://t.co/BTKFStH0Ws
— Venkronym Naidu (@VenkronymNaidu) June 23, 2017
But @ShashiTharoor Sir, we remember her for "baith jaiye,baith jaiye" in the politest voice ever. https://t.co/OFriJ7WaNs
— AbhiLash (@golfingabhilash) June 23, 2017