Mumbai, Jul 11 (PTI) Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Saturday targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, questioning his political independence and alleging that he has become a BJP stooge.
Speaking at a press conference, he also said that the opposition’s INDIA bloc remains united on broader political issues, but the Congress does not dictate terms to its allies.
“What is Eknath Shinde’s own identity? If Amit Shah asks him to stand on one leg, he will do it…,” Kumar said, claiming that Shinde had “surrendered” before the Union home minister.
He also challenged the Shiv Sena chief to speak against Amit Shah and industrialist Gautam Adani if he had the courage.
On the INDIA bloc, Kumar said the opposition alliance remained united on broader political issues, but its constituent parties were free to take independent political decisions.
“We come together on a minimum common programme. The minimum programme is to save the country from the politics of hatred and loot. It does not mean that the Congress will dictate what its allies should do,” he said.
Amid speculation over the plans of the Congress allies NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) and a possible political realignment in Maharashtra, Kumar said, “Who meets whom and who joins hands with whom is their political freedom.” He maintained that the INDIA alliance was formed on “larger political issues”, which continue to remain relevant, while individual parties are free to organise agitations and political programmes on other issues. PTI MR KRK
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