Kolkata: By bringing dozens of opposition leaders on a common platform at Kolkata, Ms. Mamata Banerjee has given an indication of what is going to happen in the next parliamentary elections.
The rally was attended by BJP stalwarts like Shatrughan Sinha and Arun Shourie. All the three leaders condemned Mr. Modi in harsh terms which show that the opposition in the internal circles of BJP against PM Modi is on the increase.
Mr. Badruddin Ajmal, Mr. Farooq Abdullah, Mr. Omar Abdullah and Mr. Kunwar Danish Ali represented the Muslims in the rally. Some of the prominent faces like KCR, Naveen Patnaik and Asaduddin Owaisi were not seen. Had they participated, the status of rally would have been elevated since all these leaders are opposed to Mr. Modi and Congress.
With the success of this rally, it was clear that the efforts of Mr. KCR for the formation of the Third Front were thrashed. Almost all the opposition parties were of the opinion that the country should be freed from the clutches of communalism for which the unity of opposition parties is essential. It is not enough if the opposition parties organized a rally. They should also demonstrate unity practically. It is not appropriate if the leaders of Congress, AAP, BSP and SP roar on the same tone but at the time of election, they refuse to sit together.
It is advisable that Ms. Sonia Gandhi and Mr. Rahul Gandhi should talk to Ms. Mayawati, Mr. Akhilesh and Mr. Kejriwal.
Congress High Command has not taken any initiative to formulate a strategy about parliamentary elections in UP. Congress leadership of UP feels that after the comeback of Ms. Sheila Dikshit, good days have came for Congress. It may be remembered that AAP had defeated Congress led Govt. of Delhi. When Ms. Sheila Dikshit disappeared from the field, the representation of Congress in Delhi Assembly became zero. The Congress members have forgotten that in 2014 elections, BJP had defeated all the candidates of Congress and AAP MP for parliamentary elections.
In the Kolkata rally, Congress members including Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge and Mr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi were sitting on the same stage where Mr. Akhilesh and Mr. Satish Mishra were seated.
When all these leaders expressed their views supporting Mamata Banerjee’s campaign, why can’t they contest parliamentary elections jointly?
By Shakeel Shamsi, Inquilab.