News Analysis India

Tag: opposition alliance

  • TMC: Modi hits out at TMC over corruption and dynasty politics

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday upped the ante against the TMC on the issue of corruption and dynasty politics and said the opposition alliance INDIA parties such as the Trinamool Congress and the Congress are bothered only about the development of their families. Giving a clarion call to defeat the Mamata Banerjee-led party in West Bengal, the prime minister while addressing a mega rally in Siliguri said, “The road to oust the corrupt TMC government from West Bengal will open from the Lok Sabha polls.”

    “I have seen mothers of our country struggling for basic amenities. That is why I stress on sanitisation, free electricity, bank accounts and tap water to make the lives of our mothers and sisters easier. But here, first the Left Front and then the TMC government have ignored the basic needs of the people of the state,” he said.

    Modi said the TMC has been looting the people of the state and had indulged in creating fake job cards for looting central funds sent by the Centre under MGNREGA. Hitting out at dynasty politics of opposition parties, Modi said the “TMC is only bothered about its nephew whereas the Congress is bothered only about the royal family,” in an apparent reference to TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and the Gandhi family in Congress.

  • I.N.D.I.A Meeting On Nitish Kumar’s Role Postponed, Decision On Convenor On Hold Too |

    New Delhi: The fate of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the coordinator of the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc remains unclear as the scheduled meeting of the alliance leaders has been postponed. The meeting, which was supposed to take place on Wednesday (January 3rd), was expected to finalise the role of Nitish Kumar in the coalition ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. However, the meeting has now been rescheduled for a later date, with no confirmation on the timing. Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, said that the meeting was deferred due to some unavoidable reasons.

    Meanwhile, the BJP has mocked the delay in the meeting and accused the opposition parties of avoiding Nitish Kumar. BJP leader Sanjay Mayukh said that the I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders are showing Nitish Kumar a mirage and that nobody wants him as the leader of the coalition. He also claimed that Nitish Kumar’s popularity in Bihar has come to an end and that he has no future in the state politics.

    Tejashwi Supports Nitish Kumar As Convenor

    On the other hand, Tejashwi Yadav has expressed his support for Nitish Kumar as the convenor of the I.N.D.I.A bloc. He said that Nitish Kumar is a senior and experienced leader and that it would be great for Bihar if he becomes the coordinator of the opposition alliance. He also said that the issue of seat-sharing among the coalition partners will be sorted out without any problem.

    The I.N.D.I.A bloc, which comprises of the Congress, the RJD, the JD(U), the SP, the BSP, the TMC, the DMK, the NCP, the CPI, the CPI(M) and other regional parties, is aiming to challenge the BJP-led NDA in the upcoming general elections. The bloc last met on December 19, 2023, and decided to finalise seat-sharing as soon as possible.

    However, the bloc has not yet declared its prime ministerial candidate, with some leaders suggesting the name of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, while others saying that the issue will be decided democratically after the polls.

  • Lalu praises Rahul for social justice principle, says no difficulty in deciding opposition’s PM face

    Express News Service

    PATNA: With the Opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ yet to resolve the contentious issue of deciding its Prime Ministerial face for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday heaped praise on former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his adherence to the principle of social justice. 

    Speaking on the occasion of  Bihar’s first chief minister Sri Krishna Singh’s birth anniversary at the Congress headquarters here, Lalu said, “We have kept the flag of social justice high and so Rahul is also doing.”

    He also praised Rahul for announcing that a caste-based survey would be conducted in the entire country if the ‘INDIA’ alliance is voted to power at the centre in 2024. The RJD president also contended that the Prime Ministerial candidate for the ‘INDIA’ alliance would be decided without any difficulty.

    Incidentally, Lalu did not talk about alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a single time when he was applauding Rahul for his ‘adherence’ to the principle of social justice and his announcement for the caste-based survey. 

    Lalu said that the BJP was desperate after the release of the caste-based survey and questioned how it was possible for any caste having a population of one per cent to demand more posts. The RJD supremo claimed that power would be “shared in proportion” to the population of various castes and that the BJP would be moved out of power.

    This was Lalu’s first visit to the Congress headquarters ‘Sadaqat Ashram’ after six years. Congress leaders said that the last time Lalu had visited Sadaquat Ashram was in 2017.

    “We are working together and we are going to organise a ‘Remove BJP, Save Country’ rally in the state capital. The wave of change will emanating from there and it will sweep the entire country as BJP is set to suffer a crushing defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election,” Lalu said.

    He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS would not be able to do anything in the election. 

    Lalu also claimed that the BJP knew well it would lose in assembly elections across the five states to be held in November and would also suffer defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He contended that it was the reason central agencies like ED, CBI and the Income Tax department were conducting raids on the premises of opposition leaders and lodging cases against them. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    PATNA: With the Opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ yet to resolve the contentious issue of deciding its Prime Ministerial face for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday heaped praise on former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his adherence to the principle of social justice. 

    Speaking on the occasion of  Bihar’s first chief minister Sri Krishna Singh’s birth anniversary at the Congress headquarters here, Lalu said, “We have kept the flag of social justice high and so Rahul is also doing.”

    He also praised Rahul for announcing that a caste-based survey would be conducted in the entire country if the ‘INDIA’ alliance is voted to power at the centre in 2024. The RJD president also contended that the Prime Ministerial candidate for the ‘INDIA’ alliance would be decided without any difficulty.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Incidentally, Lalu did not talk about alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a single time when he was applauding Rahul for his ‘adherence’ to the principle of social justice and his announcement for the caste-based survey. 

    Lalu said that the BJP was desperate after the release of the caste-based survey and questioned how it was possible for any caste having a population of one per cent to demand more posts. The RJD supremo claimed that power would be “shared in proportion” to the population of various castes and that the BJP would be moved out of power.

    This was Lalu’s first visit to the Congress headquarters ‘Sadaqat Ashram’ after six years. Congress leaders said that the last time Lalu had visited Sadaquat Ashram was in 2017.

    “We are working together and we are going to organise a ‘Remove BJP, Save Country’ rally in the state capital. The wave of change will emanating from there and it will sweep the entire country as BJP is set to suffer a crushing defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election,” Lalu said.

    He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS would not be able to do anything in the election. 

    Lalu also claimed that the BJP knew well it would lose in assembly elections across the five states to be held in November and would also suffer defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He contended that it was the reason central agencies like ED, CBI and the Income Tax department were conducting raids on the premises of opposition leaders and lodging cases against them. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • ‘Won’t break away’: Kejriwal reaffirms AAP’s commitment to ‘INDIA’ amid Sukhpal row in Punjab

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Aam Aadmi Party is committed to the opposition INDIA alliance and will not break away from it.

    His comments assume significance against the backdrop of the Congress’ Punjab unit accusing the AAP government in the state of indulging in political vendetta following the arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with a 2015 drug trafficking case.

    The AAP has, however, rejected the allegation saying the action against the Bholath legislator was taken according to the law.

    At a press conference here on Friday, Kejriwal, who is the national convener of the AAP, was asked about the future of the INDIA alliance following the arrest of the Congress legislator in Punjab.

    “The AAP is committed towards the INDIA alliance. We will not break away from the alliance. We are committed to fulfilling the dharma of the alliance,” he said.

    About the case, Kejriwal said, “I have heard about it but I don’t have details. You will have to talk to the Punjab Police.”

    “The Bhagwant Mann government is committed to ending the drug menace in the state since it has destroyed the youth. Be it an influential person or a small-time person, no one will be spared. I am not commenting on any particular incident since the details are not with me,” he said.

    Asked about the opposition INDIA alliance not projecting a prime ministerial candidate yet, Kejriwal said, “We have to prepare a system so that the 140 crore people of India feel they are prime minister. We have to empower people and not one person,” he said.

    The Punjab Congress has already opposed any alliance with the ruling AAP in the state for the 2024 general elections.

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Aam Aadmi Party is committed to the opposition INDIA alliance and will not break away from it.

    His comments assume significance against the backdrop of the Congress’ Punjab unit accusing the AAP government in the state of indulging in political vendetta following the arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with a 2015 drug trafficking case.

    The AAP has, however, rejected the allegation saying the action against the Bholath legislator was taken according to the law.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    At a press conference here on Friday, Kejriwal, who is the national convener of the AAP, was asked about the future of the INDIA alliance following the arrest of the Congress legislator in Punjab.

    “The AAP is committed towards the INDIA alliance. We will not break away from the alliance. We are committed to fulfilling the dharma of the alliance,” he said.

    About the case, Kejriwal said, “I have heard about it but I don’t have details. You will have to talk to the Punjab Police.”

    “The Bhagwant Mann government is committed to ending the drug menace in the state since it has destroyed the youth. Be it an influential person or a small-time person, no one will be spared. I am not commenting on any particular incident since the details are not with me,” he said.

    Asked about the opposition INDIA alliance not projecting a prime ministerial candidate yet, Kejriwal said, “We have to prepare a system so that the 140 crore people of India feel they are prime minister. We have to empower people and not one person,” he said.

    The Punjab Congress has already opposed any alliance with the ruling AAP in the state for the 2024 general elections.

  • I’ve no problem if someone else leads: Mamata Banerjee on Opposition unity

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday remained ambivalent on being the face of the Opposition to take on the BJP, saying it will depend on the situation.

    “I want to help all the opposition parties to bell the cat. I don’t want to be a leader, but a simple cadre,” she said on the leadership issue.

    “I am not a political astrologer. It depends on the situation, structure. I have no problem if someone else leads. When the matter is discussed we can decide. I cannot impose,” Banerjee told a select group of reporters here when asked if she would be the face of the Opposition to take.

    On the Pegasus row, she said the situation was more serious than Emergency and accused the Centre of being unresponsive.

    “Everywhere they are sending ED, IT for raids. Here there is no response. In a democracy, the government has to respond.

    “The situation is very serious, it’s more serious than the emergency,” the Trinamool Congress chief said.

    On Tuesday, Banerjee had said the unity of opposition parties will take shape on its own.

    “I am a simple worker and want to continue as a worker,” Banerjee, who is in the national capital for the first time after her party’s resounding victory in the assembly polls, said on Wednesday.

    “I want to see sachcha din, bahut din acha di dekh liya,” Banerjee added, in a jibe at the BJP’s poll slogan.

  • Opposition alliance at national level incomplete without Congress: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that work is on to bring all opposition parties together at the national level, and this alliance will be incomplete without the Congress. He said that the Congress will play an important role in the alliance that aims to provide a strong alternative to the present dispensation.

    Raut’s statements come four days after leaders of eight opposition parties, including Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, AAP, RLD and the Left, assembled at NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s residence in New Delhi and discussed various issues facing the country.

    Speculation has been rife that the agenda of the meeting, for which no Congress leader was present, was to discuss a possible alliance which could be an alternative to the BJP.

    Talking to reporters here, Raut said, “There is no need of the third front or any other front. Sharad Pawar has already made it clear. Similarly, Shiv Sena through (party mouthpiece) ‘Saamana’ has voiced similar sentiments. And I have also read that the Congress has endorsed this view.”

    “The Congress will play an important role in the alliance. It will be a strong alternative to the present dispensation…Work is in progress to bring all the opposition parties together, which will not be complete till the Congress is roped in,” he said.

    Sharad Pawar on Friday claimed that formation of any national alliance was not the topic of discussion at the meeting of eight opposition parties hosted by him, but also said that if any such coalition emerges, its leadership will have to be “collective”.

    A day after that meeting, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole had said that any attempt to form an ‘anti-BJP front’ without his party will indirectly help the BJP. On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh’s premises in Mumbai and Nagpur as part of a money-laundering probe against him.

    It also arrested Deshmukh’s two aides in this connection. Without naming the BJP, Raut said, “The ED action against Anil Deshmukh amounts to targeting political rivals out of frustration since they were unable to form the government in the state. Sharad Pawar has also said the same thing.”

    “The state investigation agencies can also probe important cases, but attempts are on to target NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress. We will also see,” Sena’s Rajya Sabha member said.

  • LJD split means Chirag Paswan to join forces with Tejashwi Yadav?

    Express News Service
    PATNA: In the wake of a spilt in Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) as a result of a feud in Paswan family, politics in Bihar is likely to get a new equation. The parties aligned with the opposition Mahagathbandhan are learnt to have started making efforts to bring Chirag Paswan- son of LJP founder (Late) Ram Vilas Paswan to their fold silently eyeing at the strong 6% vote bank of his party.

    Such a move would be possible when Chirag Paswan, is left fending for himself by the NDA allies post a leadership coup by his own uncle and Hajipur MP Pashupati Kumar Paras. Reliable sources said that a new equation can be developed with the joining of Chirag Paswan-led faction of LJP in Bihar to oust the NDA from office.

    “This might be RJD’s equation of MYP — Muslim, Yadav and Paswan — created against NDA. And if this political initiative succeeds, it could prove to be very damaging to the NDA”, said local political analysts.

    “Certainly, efforts are being taken for the emergence of a new equation-MYP, which will prove hard to handle for the NDA as Muslim constitutes 17 % of electoral strength of state followed by 16 by Yadav and 6 % by Paswan”, observed political observer Arun Kumar Pandey.

    More than 25 lakhs votes were polled to the LJP in the 2020 assembly elections under the leadership of Chirag Paswan securing 6% votes. The speculation for the emergence of new MY-P equation is rife in the political circles of both NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. 

    Observers think the current situation gives Chirag Paswan the option of being a part of opposition politics now, which will help him ahead in the elections. “If NDA government collapse and mid-term elections become unavoidable, the MY-P equation, subject to its formation depending upon future political alignments, will have a major edge over the NDA”, said AK Mishra, another political analyst.

  • Some people in Delhi preparing to form UPA-II, claims Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut 

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that “some people in Delhi” are preparing to form UPA-II, which is why the existing UPA needs to be strengthened if the opposition is to fight the BJP.

    He made the statement while speaking to reporters in Delhi, a day after he reiterated that NCP chief Sharad Pawar should head the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that is currently being led by the Congress.

    Replying to a question, Raut said the “drama” of forming “third, fourth or fifth fronts” has failed so far, hence the existing UPA needs to be strengthened.

    “Some people in Delhi are preparing to form UPA-II. Hence, I am saying this out of concern. The UPA-I has to be strengthened,” he said, without specifying who these people in the national capital are.

    He said the importance of the present-day UPA will reduce if the UPA-II is formed and then the opposition parties will have nothing in their hands.

    On Raut’s suggestion that Pawar should lead the UPA, Maharashtra Congress leaders had on Thursday asked the Shiv Sena leader to desist from making such comments as his party is not even part of the alliance.

    When asked about the Maharashtra Congress leaders’ comments and its state unit chief Nana Patole also questioning Raut if he is the spokesperson of Pawar, the Shiv Sena leader replied, “Maybe. Sharad Pawar is a leader of the country. All know what Sharad Pawar or Uddhav Thackeray are.”

    Raut said one need not be part of the UPA to speak about it.

    “The issue of the UPA is not of a state, but a national one. So the people from the state should not talk about it,” he added.

    The Rajya Sabha member said that discussion needs to be held on strengthening the alliance of the opposition parties if they are to take on the BJP.

    “If the (Congress) leaders in Maharashtra are not getting this, then they need to study… they are our colleagues, but they should understand.

    “We will give a reply if Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi are to speak on this issue. But they are not speaking. They are also analysing this (the situation),” he added.

    The Parliamentarian also said that Maharashtra Congress leaders should also make it clear whether they think the UPA should not be strengthened.

    “Sonia Gandhi is leading the UPA. She has led it in an excellent manner for 17 years. But considering the future politics, the issue needs to be discussed,” he said.