‘INDIA alliance confused, running out of time … Congress has to show urgency’: JD(U) speaks out as bloc convener not yet appointed

Tyagi asked why the Congress was organising a yatra of its own — referring to the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that begins on January 14 — instead of turning it into an INDIA alliance yatra. He said, “At a time the BJP has been able to ensure a great build-up to the Ram Temple inauguration, for the INDIA bloc it is imperative to offer a sound counter-narrative along demand of nationwide caste survey and other national issues. The Congress has embarked on its yatra. Rather, it should have been an INDIA Yatra in which all top alliance leaders could have participated. The Congress did not consult any of its allies before charting its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. We welcome their yatra but it was not a good time to start it. INDIA is still in a confused state. What if Lok Sabha polls are announced soon after the Ram Temple opening? We still do not have clarity on seat-sharing, agenda, and leadership roles. Congress should show its large-heartedness, shedding its big-brotherly attitude.”

The JD(U) leader said that “the way allies are going in different directions is a matter of serious concern”. He added, “While West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary demanded President’s Rule after the ED team was attacked, CPI MP Binoy Viswam questioned the propriety of Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad. The DMK and the Congress have been also sparring in Tamil Nadu. The Congress should take immediate steps to stop the INDIA bloc from drifting away.”

Asked about the seat-sharing talks, Tyagi said, “Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are the states where the Congress should try to accommodate its allies. We do want a stronger Congress but also a stronger INDIA bloc. The Congress should not also create confusion in the mind of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav by being reportedly in touch with the BSP as well.”

Mamata’s proposal, Kharge’s refusal

Meanwhile, an INDIA bloc leader said the convener would be responsible for making decisions on important matters such as seat-sharing between allies and coming up with campaign programmes in different states. “The chairperson will only preside over meetings. Ahead of elections, the convener’s role will be very important,” the leader said, explaining the difference between the two posts.

Kharge’s remarks that irked the JD(U) came a week after Nitish took over the reins of the JD(U) in the party’s national executive meeting, where a resolution projecting him as the “sutradhar (facilitator)” of the INDIA bloc was passed while underlining only a few leaders were “as experienced” as him. The JD(U) also praised Nitish for his role in bringing the Opposition parties together and said bigger parties in the bloc had a “larger responsibility” to ensure its success and must “show a big heart”.

The idea that the INDIA bloc must have a face was floated by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at a meeting last month. She proposed Kharge’s name for the post and was backed by her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. However, Kharge refused the offer saying it was more important to win elections and the alliance’s face could be decided later.

Though the Bihar CM has said he is not in the race for any post, including the PM, the JD(U) has been pushing to make him the convener. “The Congress is not going to care about Mamata’s proposal. No other constituent of the INDIA bloc has an issue with Nitish Kumar being the convener and an announcement to this effect will be made soon,” said a JD(U) leader, who recently held seat-sharing talks with the Congress for Bihar.

— With inputs from Lalmani Verma in New Delhi