New Delhi: Opposition parties have criticised Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad’s comments that the Opposition was too fragmented to show a united face.
At the Opposition’s upcoming mega meeting in Patna on 23 June, Prasad had asked Sunday who would be their face for Prime Minister.
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said Monday that the party with a majority would choose the leader of any alliance. “Why are they (Prasad) so irked about it,” he asked.
Congress’s Gourav Vallabh launched a broadside at Prasad’s removal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ministry in 2021, saying: “Try as much as you want, but you will not become a part of the cabinet again”.
“As far as our PM’s face is concerned, our meeting will focus on discussions on people’s issues, common issues and a common agenda. We will tell you about the ‘face’ and the number of seats each party will contest. Be patient,” he added.
On Sunday, Prasad had called the Opposition alliance that of selfish people, “interested only in power”. “Mamata says she won’t go with Congress if it fights along with the Communists in Bengal. This is only an anti-Modi coalition. They can’t do anything on their own. The country has moved on from the times of Deve Gowda, I.K. Gujral and V.P. Singh (Prime Ministers who shepherded coalitions at the Centre). India wants a stable government not that of those who fight among themselves. Bihar won’t go with them,not will the country,” Prasad had said.
Trinamool Congress leader and MP Sougata Roy said Prasad “was not important”. “His own party dropped him from the ministry. The Opposition meet on 23 June is to find a way to provide an alternative to Modi. The Modi government has been selfish, communal, narrow-minded and dependent on (Gautam) Adani,” Roy retorted.
The Opposition’s event on Friday is being convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar — who has toured the country meeting like-minded leaders — to find common ground ahead of the 2024 general elections. Kumar has rooted for Opposition unity ever since he left the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and joined the Opposition platform in August last year.
Top leaders of several parties, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, M.K. Stalin Arvind Kejriwal and Sitaram Yechury.
On Monday, Communist Party of India General Secretary D. Raja met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, both of whom will be in Patna on Friday. Raja said the two discussed the current political situation. “We both have similar views. In order to save the Constitution, our democracy and the secular fabric of our society, BJP has to be defeated. All secular parties must come together and put up a strong fight. Further discussion will take place on 23 June,” Raja added.
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