New Delhi, June 27: Meira Kumar today said the dignity of the highest office of the land would be destroyed if the President was elected on the basis of caste.

Addressing her first news conference after being selected by 17 Opposition parties as their joint candidate for President, Meira said: "Will you appreciate the highest post of the land being decided on the basis of caste? The dignity of the office will be destroyed if we accept this."

She added: "I am anguished the debate is focused on caste alone. This shows how the society works, how the people think even now. Social realities are coming to the fore through this caste-specific discourse. There have been candidates from so-called upper castes in the past and their caste was never debated. Their abilities and merit were discussed."

Lamenting that the Indian society in 2017 had not moved forward, Meira, a former Lok Sabha Speaker, said: "Today, the debate has been reduced to caste alone because two Dalits are in the fray (for the President's post). Other attributes of the candidates have been nullified. I can clearly see how the society still views Dalits. I hope caste is packed up and buried deep inside the earth."

Meira's passionate argument for judging the two candidates on merit was a response to the BJP-led NDA's careful positioning of its candidate, Ram Nath Kovind, as a Dalit, highlighting his social background more than his accomplishments. Even those who are supporting Kovind have justified their stance by citing his social status more than his personal attributes.

Meira also pointed to the perceived hollowness of the government's symbolism by saying that "atrocities" against the Dalits, tribals and the weaker sections of the society had increased.

"Marginalised sections of the society are even today treated in this manner. It is shameful. We should hang our heads in shame. Over the past few years, schemes and laws made for Dalits, tribals and the weaker sections of the society have been casually treated, not implemented. Protecting the weak is the soul of the Constitution," she said.

Meira articulated that the empowerment of Dalits was an unfinished agenda and welfare schemes and laws protecting them from discrimination and social violence needed to be implemented sincerely by the governments instead of relying on symbolism to divert attention.

She admitted the need for legal, social and political measures to safeguard the weaker sections of the society, but felt that the occupant of the highest post could not be decided on the basis of caste.

Asked about suggestions by some BJP ministers that ideology should not be dragged into the presidential election, Meira forcefully countered the stand: "It is a clash of ideologies. Do you mean to say ideology will not be a factor in selecting the highest post of the country? How can you make an election free from ideology?"

The veteran Congress leader argued that the unity among the Opposition parties was based on ideological similarities.

"Democratic values, social justice, inclusive society, freedom of the media, transparency in administration, poverty alleviation and destruction of caste are the essential ingredients of our ideology. These values are close to my heart. I am going to contest on the strength of ideology. Caste identification should not play any role."

Meira refused to criticise JDU chief and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for supporting the NDA candidate.

Asked about Nitish's comment that political battle lines should not be drawn in the presidential election, Meira said: "The President's post is apolitical but the process is political."

On Nitish's somersault, she said "such things happen in politics".

Meira did not deliberate on the difficult times India was passing through, particularly the social strife caused by conflicting ideologies, but described the presidential poll as an unparalleled opportunity to script history and appealed to every member of the electoral college to listen to their inner voice. "Set aside all other considerations and vote according to your conscience," she said.

Asked how conscience vote would be possible in a sharply divided country, Meira said: "Conscience vote is all the more relevant because of the divisions. It becomes imperative to listen to conscience at a time one ideology is creating divisions."

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi too had appealed for conscience vote in the 1969 presidential election, ensuring the defeat of the official Congress candidate, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, by rebel nominee V.V. Giri.

Meira announced that she would start her campaign from Sabarmati ashram in Gujarat when asked if she would choose her native place, Bihar, as Kovind had opted for his home state Uttar Pradesh to begin canvassing.

Asked about her choice, she said: "The significance of Sabarmati is known to the world. We have faith in Mahatma Gandhi's values of truth and non-violence and want to seek blessing at his ashram."

Meira dismissed the charge of bias levelled against her by foreign minister Sushma Swaraj. "On the last day of the last session in 2014, everybody gave their farewell speeches and nobody accused me of bias in my conduct as Lok Sabha Speaker."

Sushma had posted a video showing how Meira had interrupted her many times during one of her speeches in the Lok Sabha.

Meira also rejected the allegation of financial irregularities, saying baseless charges were being levelled to malign her.

On the controversy about the allotment of a bungalow for the memorial to her father, freedom fighter Babu Jagjivan Ram, Meira said: "The government had allotted the bungalow to a government institution."