INDIA. Mumbai: The constituents of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.), a multi-party opposition alliance, said on Wednesday that they will fight the “dictatorship” of the Modi government at the centre and claimed to have a larger share of votes compared to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the country.
Addressing the media along with NCP President Sharad Pawar and Congress (Maharashtra) President Nana Patole, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray said that it is time that the NDA is ousted from power to save democracy, like the “Quit India” call given by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 to Britishers during the freedom struggle.
Referring to the slashing of LPG prices by Rs 200 a cylinder by the centre on the eve of “Raksha Bandhan”, Thackeray said that after I.N.D.I.A. came into being, the centre slashed the LPG prices, and one should not be surprised if the centre provides free LPG by the time the ensuing elections are held.
He added, “Because the government itself is on gas (Oxygen support).” He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should tie Rakhi to Bilkis Bano, a rape victim from Gujarat, and Manipuri women who were paraded naked.
Thackeray also vehemently opposed the Maharashtra Government’s decision to entrust the work of preparing the development plan of Mumbai to “Niti Aayog,” saying that this was a tacit attempt to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and that it would be opposed tooth and nail.
Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the constituents of I.N.D.I.A. garnered 23.40 crore votes compared to 22.90 crore votes secured by the BJP and its alliance partners.
He stated that the Modi-led BJP could win only because of the fragmentation of votes from the opposition. If they join hands, it is not at all difficult to defeat the BJP in the ensuing elections, he said.
All that Modi’s BJP has been doing is destabilising established opposition-ruled state governments, as it did in Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra. By now, 28 parties, including 11 CMs, have joined the I.N.D.I.A., and that number will grow. The I.N.D.I.A. is an alliance for development, not just to oppose anyone, and it will fight all fascist forces, he added.
Replying to a question about BSP Chief Mayawati not joining the I.N.D.I.A., Pawar said that apparently she is having discussions with the BJP. However, we will urge her to join the I.N.D.I.A., he added. Similarly, Thackeray said that the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, led by Prakash Ambedkar, which has yet to make its stand clear, will be requested to join the I.N.D.I.A.
In the meantime, by Wednesday, many leaders, including Trinamool Congress Party Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, landed in Mumbai for the conclave. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others were expected to reach Mumbai by Thursday.
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