© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Opposition unity meeting to be held Tuesday will discuss giving the proposed anti-BJP grouping a name, structure and a common agenda and campaign programme, besides figuring out a roadmap towards seat-sharing.
On the eve of the meeting, likely to be attended by 26 parties, top Opposition leaders held informal talks here Monday, as well as attended a dinner hosted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress.
While the Congress indicated that seat-sharing will take time, the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) differed over whether the grouping should have a name. As per sources, while the TMC was in favour of it, the CPI(M) was not for it.
Follow our live blog for the latest.
At the same time, there was much camaraderie at the informal meeting and dinner, with perhaps the only sour note being NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s conspicuous absence. The NCP announced late Sunday night that Pawar Senior would skip Monday’s talks. While he has promised to be at the talks Tuesday, his meetings with NCP rebels who are now with the BJP for a second day added to the air of uncertainty.
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi shared a table at the dinner with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge – as unlikely a foursome as it gets.
Sonia and Mamata could be seen exchanging notes, which will help defuse the tension between the Congress and TMC West Bengal units over the state panchayat elections, where the two parties clashed electorally and physically.
Kejriwal, who is in a constant war of words with the Congress in both Punjab and Delhi, where his party has governments, interacted warmly with Congress leaders too.
At the last Opposition unity meeting in Patna on June 23, Kejriwal had a sharp exchange of words with Congress leaders. The Congress promise to oppose an ordinance passed by the Centre taking away the AAP government’s powers in Delhi appears to have settled ruffled feathers.
Sonia’s presence in Bengaluru – she was not there at the Patna talks — is expected to further smoothen the process. Sonia shares warm ties with leaders across parties – dating back to when she shepherded the UPA coalition. The theme of the meeting was ‘United We Stand’, printed across banners, hoardings and passes of all the delegates.
The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting was read out by Kharge, with parties invited to give their suggestions at the talks. Broadly the agenda comprises six proposals — setting up separate subcommittees for drafting a common agenda and communication points for the alliance for the 2024 general elections; chalking out a joint programme for parties, including rallies, conventions and agitations; deciding seat-sharing on a state to state basis; suggesting a name for the alliance; setting up a common secretariat for it; and discussing EVMs and suggesting reforms to the Election Commission.
“Expect major announcements on Tuesday… The alliance may have a new name by afternoon,” one senior leader said.
Hours before the meeting though, the Congress itself delivered a reality check, saying seat-sharing may take some time, though it asserted that the Opposition meeting would be a “game changer” in Indian politics, with a united front offering solutions to the issues of the common people.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury indicated one of the differences that is set to arise, by ruling out the possibility of an alliance with the TMC in West Bengal. He said “secular parties”, including the Left and Congress, will take on the BJP as well as the TMC in the state. The Left reportedly is in favour on an understanding state-wise to minimise the prospects of the Opposition votes being divided.
However, Left leaders also pushed for finalising a common programme and designing a “political campaign” around the issues of “safeguarding democracy, Constitution and secularism”, and for a “mass action campaign” on livelihood issues such as price rise and unemployment.
The TMC reportedly wants this to be framed as identification of common issues and talking points, instead of calling it a common minimum programme, a phrase in the Left lexicon.
The RSP’s N K Premachandran suggested that parties adopt a resolution on Manipur, but it was decided that the issue can be taken up at Tuesday’s meeting.
Others present at the informal talks and dinner included senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief M K Stalin, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, the RJD’s Lalu Prasad and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
“Well begun is half done! Like-minded opposition parties shall closely work together to foster an agenda of social justice, inclusive development and national welfare. We want to free the people of India from the autocratic and anti-people politics of hate, division, economic inequality and loot… United We Stand, for this India,” Kharge tweeted later.
Asked earlier in the day about a common minimum programme or a name for the coalition, AICC general secretary (Organisation) K V Venugopal said: “You have to understand… there are 26 political parties… So we are trying to resolve… We will resolve all the issues within one or two meetings.”
Addressing a press conference with Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh and Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Venugopal said: “We are going to take a decision on whether a new name is needed, or whether we have to go with the UPA.”
On seat-sharing and the plan to ensure a one-on-one fight between the Opposition parties and BJP on as many seats as possible, Venugopal said: “These are things we will discuss. It may not happen in one meeting, or in two meetings… it will take time.”
Asked about inviting parties which are not with the BJP to the Opposition fold, he said: “Those who believe in secularism, those who want to fight against this dictatorial government… if they come forward, we will think about it.” He said there is no need for “invitation” to any party.
Ramesh added that there was no place for “trishanku” (an undecided person) in Indian politics now. “Parties have to decide whether they want to safeguard the Constitution or go with that party which is attacking the Constitution every day,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the NDA meeting also being held on Tuesday, Venugopal said: “Those who were saying that they were very comfortable fighting alone to defeat the Opposition, now they have also started meeting. That is the real success of this Opposition unity.”
Kharge said: “Why is he (PM Modi) now bringing together 29-30 parties? Which are these 30 parties?… The 24-25 parties which are with us… we are together in Parliament and outside, and we keep meeting too. Have their 30 parties met?”
Venugopal said the parties might decide a strategy for Parliament’s Monsoon Session starting on July 20 as well during the talks.
On the lack of a clear leader in the Opposition camp, compared to PM Modi in the NDA, Venugopal said that issues would be more important than leadership in the 2024 polls. “We have enough leaders who have proved their metal in different capacities. Don’t worry about the leadership, it is time to worry about the situation in the country… Why is the issue of Manipur not being discussed?” he said.
