Opposition parties should elect a President who can protect citizens from BJP’s attack: Congress
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala urged opposition parties to choose a successor for incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind, who can protect the Constitution, institutions and citizens from attack by the ruling BJP. He said this can happen only when the opposition parties rise above their differences and decide to help the people.
“We are responsible for our people to elect a president who can apply a remedial touch to the fractured social fabric and protect our Constitution,” Surjewala said.
“The time has come to rise above our differences for the sake of our country and its people. Discussions should be open minded and keeping this spirit in mind. We believe that the Congress should join hands with other political parties in this regard. The discussion should go ahead,” he said in a statement.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi discussed the issue of choosing President Ram Nath Kovind’s successor on July 18 with NCP leader Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other leaders of anti-BJP parties. The term of the current President Kovind ends on July 24.
Surjewala said, “The Congress party is of the opinion that the nation needs a person in the form of a President who can protect the Constitution, our institutions and citizens from the onslaught by the ruling party. This is the need of the hour.”
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge has already started discussions with several opposition leaders. He met Pawar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, besides holding telephonic discussions with Banerjee and some other leaders to reach a consensus on a candidate from the opposition camp.
On the other hand, Banerjee has called a meeting in the national capital on June 15 on this matter by writing a letter to all the opposition leaders.
(with PTI inputs)
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