Ranchi, July 8: UPA presidential candidate Meira Kumar today called on JMM president Shibu Soren at his Morabadi residence, seeking his blessings and support for July 17 elections, followed by a meeting with MLAs and leaders of other constituent parties at his son Heman's residence.
Meira, who urged them all to exercise their franchise with wisdom, said she had written to every member of the electoral college, urging them to rise above petty considerations.
"I have asked them to listen to the call of their conscience while casting their votes. Our fight is against communalism and safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, especially tribals, dalits, backwards, minorities and women." she told newspersons.
The senior Congress leader claimed that all forces opposed to the BJP had agreed to support her, since she was engaged in an ideological war to uphold the country's secular values and ensure social justice to every section of society.
"The place where I am standing now (Jharkhand) has taught to me to respect every religion as I do my own. It was a great pleasure meeting Guruji (Shibu Soren) after a long time," the former Lok Sabha Speaker added.
After campaigning in Patna, Kumar landed at Birsa Munda airport in Ranchi by a special flight at 1.30 pm, where she was received by senior Congress leaders like state Congress chief Sukhdeo Bhagat and Alamgir Alam.
She then drove to BNR Chanakya hotel for lunch. From there, she spoke to JVM president Babulal Marandi over telephone, after which she went to Soren's house.
"Seventeen leading Opposition parties took part in the meeting presided over by Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on June 17. All of them unanimously approved my candidature. Hemant too was present at that meeting. All his party MLAs and MPs have promised to vote for me. I also spoke Lalu ji. He too is supporting me," she said.
Kumar, however, did not meet other opposition MLAs like Geeta Koda, Bhanu Pratap Shahi, Anosh Ekka, Kushwaha Shivpujan Mehta and Raj Kumar Yadav.
But, state Congress chief Bhagat maintained he would soon be approaching all MLAs in person, including those belonging to the Ajsu, on her behalf, and request them to vote for her.
The BJP and its allies have fielded former Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind, who is expected to campaign in Jharkhand on July 12.
