New Delhi (Agency): In an important gathering of opposition parties held on Tuesday, Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of the Congress, stressed that their differences at the state level would not deter them from standing united against the policies of the BJP-led government. According to sources, Kharge emphasized that these differences weren’t ideological and certainly not substantial enough to hinder their common cause – supporting the people who are “suffering” under the BJP’s reign.
During the meeting, Kharge recalled his remarks made at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin’s birthday celebration earlier this year. He had hinted then that the question of who would become the Prime Minister was “not the question.” The essential focus was the collective fight “against divisive forces.”
He reinforced his earlier stance during the meeting, stating, “I had already told in Chennai on Stalin’s birthday that Congress is not interested in power or the post of Prime Minister. Our intention in this meeting is not to gain power for ourselves. It is to protect our constitution, democracy, secularism, and social justice,”
According to insiders, Kharge painted a vivid picture of the distressing situation where the common man, the middle class, and the youth were bearing the brunt of inflation and unemployment. He spoke of the rights of the poor, Dalits, tribals, and minorities being quietly undermined.
Kharge acknowledged the presence of 26 parties at the opposition meeting, reminding everyone that these parties held power in 11 states. He took a pointed dig at the BJP for its sudden realization of the value of its allies. “The BJP did not get 303 seats by itself. It used the votes of its allies and came to power and then discarded them. Today, the BJP president and their leaders are running from state to state to patch up with their old allies,” he remarked.
Moreover, Kharge criticised the BJP for turning institutions like the CBI, ED, and Income Tax department into “a weapon against the opposition.” He claimed that false criminal cases were being filed against opposition leaders, constitutional authorities were used to suspend their MPs, and MLAs were being coerced or bribed to shift to BJP and topple governments.
The meeting, concluding on Tuesday, is part of the opposition’s strategy to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. By standing together, they hope to offer a united front against the divisive forces impacting the Indian society and economy.