Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
The INDIA bloc of 25 opposition parties, at a meeting held in the national capital on Monday, urged the Congress party to take a more proactive role in leading the alliance and to assert more firmly.
The meeting, which lasted for over two hours, saw participation from senior leaders of various opposition parties who shared their views on coordination, strategy and the future course of the bloc.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she is “free now” and ready to participate in meetings held anywhere in the country. She also criticised the BJP government in West Bengal, alleging that it was “bulldozing houses of the poor” and creating an atmosphere of fear among people, while claiming that elections were influenced through intimidation.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also called on the Congress to take greater responsibility within the alliance and adopt a more active and flexible approach in coordinating opposition efforts.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, according to sources, told the meeting that the opposition must remain united to effectively challenge the NDA. He reportedly urged senior leaders to rally behind the Congress on key issues and work in coordination to strengthen the bloc. He also expressed confidence that a united opposition could defeat the NDA in the 2029 general elections.
During the meeting, CPI(M) leader John Brittas reportedly raised concerns over certain statements made by Kerala Congress leaders against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, prompting intervention from Rahul Gandhi, who is said to have made observations on the matter.
Several other leaders also stressed the need for the Congress to assume greater responsibility and suggested that such coordination meetings should be held more regularly to maintain unity within the bloc.
Photo: Bir Bahadur Yadav