NEW DELHI: In what sounded like an invite to BJP allies to defect, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said after the INDIA bloc meeting that the alliance’s doors were open for like-minded parties.
“INDIA welcomes all parties which share its fundamental commitment to the values enshrined in the Preamble to our Constitution and to its many provisions for economic, social and political justice,” Kharge told reporters.
He was flanked by opposition biggies including Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Rahul Gandhi, M K Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, Sitaram Yechury, Tejashwi Yadav and Dipankar Bhattacharya, among others.
The post-meeting photo op and remarks showed that the opposition believes it is not possible to stake claim after falling short of the ruling NDA despite a good performance. But the feeling among the allies is that running a coalition would test Modi because of his “dictatorial attitude”, and his hard agenda and the desire for absolute control can repel partners. “There can be realignment in the future. That is the meaning of the statement about ‘taking appropriate steps at an appropriate time’,” senior participants in the meeting explained.
Sources said Pawar, who is seen as the best exponent in power games, explained the situation and advised “let us wait and watch the political developments”. The same view was offered by Congress brass.
The meeting was attended by N K Premachandran (RSP), Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha (AAP), T R Baalu (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP), Arvind Sawant and Sanjay Raut (ShIv Sena), Sitaram Yechuri (CPM), D Raja (CPI) and others.
Concern was also expressed that BJP govt could resume its “weaponising of agencies” and “breaking of parties” once it is back in saddle. The apprehension of harassment of opposition parties was expressed by more than one leader, sources said. Sources said the meeting also lauded the performance in UP, West Bengal and Maharashtra, which severely dented the BJP tally. However, there was lament about the relatively low performance in Jharkhand, Bihar and some other states. Members suggested that steps should be taken to make INDIA bloc more dynamic.
“INDIA welcomes all parties which share its fundamental commitment to the values enshrined in the Preamble to our Constitution and to its many provisions for economic, social and political justice,” Kharge told reporters.
He was flanked by opposition biggies including Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Rahul Gandhi, M K Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, Sitaram Yechury, Tejashwi Yadav and Dipankar Bhattacharya, among others.
The post-meeting photo op and remarks showed that the opposition believes it is not possible to stake claim after falling short of the ruling NDA despite a good performance. But the feeling among the allies is that running a coalition would test Modi because of his “dictatorial attitude”, and his hard agenda and the desire for absolute control can repel partners. “There can be realignment in the future. That is the meaning of the statement about ‘taking appropriate steps at an appropriate time’,” senior participants in the meeting explained.
Sources said Pawar, who is seen as the best exponent in power games, explained the situation and advised “let us wait and watch the political developments”. The same view was offered by Congress brass.
The meeting was attended by N K Premachandran (RSP), Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha (AAP), T R Baalu (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP), Arvind Sawant and Sanjay Raut (ShIv Sena), Sitaram Yechuri (CPM), D Raja (CPI) and others.
Concern was also expressed that BJP govt could resume its “weaponising of agencies” and “breaking of parties” once it is back in saddle. The apprehension of harassment of opposition parties was expressed by more than one leader, sources said. Sources said the meeting also lauded the performance in UP, West Bengal and Maharashtra, which severely dented the BJP tally. However, there was lament about the relatively low performance in Jharkhand, Bihar and some other states. Members suggested that steps should be taken to make INDIA bloc more dynamic.
