New Delhi: Ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting on Wednesday, the Janata Dal(United) criticised the Congress, alleging that the party’s ‘obstinacy’ has prevented the Opposition alliance from functioning in the spirit of cooperation.
Speaking to IANS, JD(U) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak said the alliance has failed to demonstrate genuine unity and that its constituent parties were not fully committed to it.
“The name is INDIA Bloc, UPA, but that alliance is only about obstinacy. Congress, because of its obstinacy, has still not followed the spirit of the alliance, and it has to bear the consequences. The parties that are there are neither with them wholeheartedly nor in spirit; they are with them only in words, wherever they are,” Rajak said.
Union Minister of State Ram Nath Thakur also referred to JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s earlier association with the Opposition alliance.
“When the Congress was part of the Mahagathbandhan, and the proposal came to make Nitish Kumar the convenor, he was not made convenor, as if by some conspiracy. So Nitish Kumar made his own decision and joined the NDA alliance,” Thakur said.
He added, “Now, what is the point of discussing Nitish Kumar? There is no benefit to it. Whatever decision the Congress party has made, it should stick to its decision and work towards strengthening its own party.”
Meanwhile, Purnia MP Pappu Yadav said the focus should not merely be on the INDIA bloc meeting but on broader issues concerning the country, including democracy, constitutional values and rights of the citizens.
“The question is not about the meeting. The question is about the country. It is about the rights of 140 crore people of this country, its sovereignty, democratic values and the democratic system,” Yadav said.
He also criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the ongoing controversy surrounding electoral roll revisions, alleging that the process had affected democratic rights.
The agenda for the INDIA bloc meeting has been finalised. The meeting is likely to discuss the issues raised during the Congress Working Committee meeting, where a resolution was passed seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and calling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation.
The Opposition alliance is also expected to discuss a strategy for a nationwide agitation. The proposed campaign could include protests and public rallies against the Chief Election Commissioner, along with an impeachment motion in Parliament.
The Opposition has intensified its criticism of the Election Commission following reports of differences between two Election Commissioners and CEC Kumar over voter-list revisions and the inclusion of new names.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also alleged irregularities in the electoral process and accused the Chief Election Commissioner of favouring the BJP, allegations that have been rejected by the Election Commission.
(IANS)
