At an all-party opposition meeting today, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday laid out a clear political roadmap and set the agenda as the 2024 general elections, but a united front could still be a one-sided opposition as there are many burning differences beneath the surface. .
Urging the parties to ‘strengthen and rise above differences’, Gandhi said: “… in the values of the freedom movement and the principles and provisions of our Constitution.”
He said that the opposition has no option but to fight together.
“We all have our compulsions, but clearly, a time has come when the interests of our nation demand that we rise above them.”
Top opposition leaders, including some chief ministers including Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, reportedly participated in the virtual meeting amid efforts to develop a common strategy against the NDA government.
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who attended the meeting, thanked Gandhi for bringing together ‘like-minded people’, tweeting: “I really appreciate organizing this much-needed meeting in view of the current circumstances in our country. Appreciate the steps taken. The current scenario in India looks very gloomy.”
An online meeting of like-minded parties was held today with the initiative of Smt. Sonia ji Gandhi. I really appreciate the steps taken to organize this much-needed meeting in view of the present circumstances of the country. The present scenario in India appears to be very gloomy. pic.twitter.com/rWUI5Fs1uc– Sharad Pawar (PowerSpeaks) August 20, 2021
hidden cracks
Despite the pompous display of great unity, the potential cracks were unmistakable. The Samajwadi Party which has been a part of all opposition meetings till now was evident from its absence. In the upcoming UP elections, the SP is expected to come to power, but chief Akhilesh Yadav has made it clear that he will not forge an alliance with any party, especially the Congress.
Sources say that the SP told Gandhi that he could not come because he was busy with party work, but the Congress is well aware that showing unity in electoral states may not have political meaning.
BSP and AAP were not invited. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused BSP of being ‘BJP’s B team’ while AAP and Congress are yet to get their facilities.
While Sonia raised the Pegasus issue during her speech, some RJD leaders and JMM’s Hemant Soren insisted that people’s issues should be addressed. The same thing was said during the breakfast meet called by Rahul Gandhi. Mamata Banerjee, who is leaving no chance to remind the Congress that they cannot take a shot unless they push themselves, also said that all parties need to come together. But it was also made clear that parties like BSP, BJD, which are considered soft towards the BJP, would have no place in such opposition meetings.
Still, 2024 is far away. And there are many contradictions that may still come to the fore. Sources say that the UP elections were also emphasized in the meeting. Manata said winning in the state would be a major setback for Modi and a boost to opposition unity.
The opposition plans to intensify protests across the country from September 20 to 30, addressing various public issues.
More such meetings are expected in the next few days to keep an eye on the elections. But Sonia Gandhi’s two messages were clear: one of her meetings was a denial of a dinner meeting convened by rebel G23 leader Kapil Sibal which was attended by most of the top leaders. Second, pointing to people questioning Mamata and the Congress, the party may have been down but is now definitely out.
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