SHILLONG: Opposition presidential candidate Meira Kumar on Wednesday said the 'inner voice of conscience' would help her sail through in the upcoming battle of ideology though heavy odds are stacked against her candidature."I have appealed to the members of the collegiums to listen to their inner voice. The inner voice of conscience carries more weight than numbers when people decide on moral grounds, principles and philosophy," added Kumar.The former Lok Sabha Speaker was addressing the collegium of the state, led by Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, here on Wednesday as part of her tour to NE states. The campaign was attended by leader of the opposition, Donkupar Roy, and his team from United Democratic Party (UDP).She was accompanied by senior Congress leader and former Union minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge of the northeast CP Joshi.Stating that it is for the first time that the presidential election has been turned into a 'battle of ideology', Meira said, "The need to contest against the NDA presidential nominee has arisen because the atmosphere in the country has began to threaten the secular fabric of the nation. This is the chance to make history and act in the best interest of our country for its progress and modernity and also for our next generation," she appealed to MLAs of the Congress-ruled state.Stating that India is a vast country with many religions, ethnic groups and cultures, she said this is why 17 opposition political parties with differences got together on this particular issue by fielding her against NDA nominee Ram Nath Govind for the July 17 presidential elections. "India is a vast country with diverse culture culture, ethnicity and way of life. But now attempts are being made to communalize the atmosphere in the name of religion, food practice and way of life," she said.The opposition Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) having 4 MLAs and National People's Party (NPP), which is an NDA ally at the Centre, did not attend Kumar's campaign meet. The presidential candidate also expressed gratitude to the leader of the opposition in the Meghalaya assembly, Donkupar Roy, who was present at the meeting. She said Roy, who is the president of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has announced his party's support for her. She added that the act of the the opposition leader should be an example for other states well.Reiterating that this will be a rare occasion for creating history, Kumar asked the legislators and MPs of Congress-ruled Meghalaya to act in the best interest of the country to make it more progressive for future generations. Later, speaking to reporters, she said attempts of polarizing people in the name of religion will spell disaster for the country. Asked if the Modi wave would take over the Gandhian thought in the elections, she added that the Gandhian thought has influenced the hearts and souls of people throughout the world and no one can replace it. The meeting was attended by MLAs, including Congress, UDP and few Independent legislators.

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