The APCC on Saturday asked MLAs and MPs of the TDP and the YSR Congress to go for a conscience vote for electing the new President and not go by the diktats of their respective parties.
Addressing the media here, APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy said: “NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind is a dalit by birth and anti-dalit by his stance and outlook.”
This apart, Mr. Reddy said Mr. Kovind was an “RSSwaadi” and “anti-downtrodden.”
Mr. Kovind had made his stance on dalits and minorities evident by saying the recommendations of the Ranga Nath Mishra Committee should not be implemented because dalit Christians and Muslim minorities would get reservations, Mr. Reddy stated, producing coverage in the media to prove his charge.
Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said Mr. Kovind would be a wrong choice for the august post, the holder of which was the ultimate guardian of the Constitution.
The BJP had chosen Mr. Kovind for its own reasons, but those representing the TDP and the YSRC were answerable to the people of the State for whatever decision they take. The Congress would continue to put pressure on the two parties until completion of election on July 17, he said.
On the other hand, UPA candidate Meira Kumar had very high stature and track record without any blemish as MP, Union Minister and Speaker of the Lok Sabha, he said.
It was not a battle between two Dalits but two ideologies, Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said.
Dig at Naidu
He took exception to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asking road- users and old-age pensioners in Nandyal to vote for the TDP because they were enjoying the schemes of the TDP government.
