Congress included, opposition parties need to unite
The results of five state assembly elections has given a new lease of hope to opposition parties, simultaneously descending a pall of gloom on BJP over its dismal performance. Had these states been won by BJP, the hope of Operation Lotus would have received some boost in Karnataka too.
Yeddyurappa would have started some ground work with a fond hope of being reinstated as the CM again. The mine mafia was all set to throw money around to ensure this would happen. But since these states gave their verdict in the opposite direction, the pipe dream of BJP leaders is now forced to remain. So these results have given the opposition parties a new hope to build something on.
A good unity and possibility of a coalition among them is all very inevitable now. Earlier, Communist leader such as Harkishan Singh Surjeet would take the lead in ensuring there is a good understanding between parties in such situations. There were leaders such as Jyoti Basu. But none of them exist now. Left parties aren’t playing a major role in the country’s politics. Hence, to bring the opposition parties together, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu has set the ball in motion.
After the BJP assumed power in the centre, constitutional aided administration has been severely compromised upon. Premier institutions like CBI, RBI and the other autonomous institutions have also been meddled with, by the government.
At times like this, secular federations, organisations and parties have to come together to achieve a single objective and offer pro-people programmes to achieve some core goals. No single party can ever hope to tame the tentacles of this octopus called corporate sector that has encouraged the majority communalism along with funding the BJP.
But there are naturally many issues with such a coalition coming together. In the undivided Andhra, Telugu Desam and TRS do not have a conducive understanding with each other. Congress is the main opposition for the ruling left parties in Bengal and CPM in Kerala. They both are willing to come together against a common enemy. If the opposition parties come together putting behind their differences, they can defeat the communal BJP and its allies in no time.
But then if Modi succeeds in clinching the power second time over, the efforts to create an RSS-specific Hindu Rashtra will intensify with no holds barred. If this is to be stopped, the opposition parties have to come together. This should not be a convenient arrangement but an honest one. Former PM Deve Gowda has to take the lead in this. CPIM secretary Sitaram Yechury must allow such a possibility to take shape. Mayawati’s BSP is also thinking on those lines.
Now their Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh units have already declared their support to Congress to form the government. Stalin of DMK, Chandrababu Naidu and TSR also have a very significant role to play. BJP may have lost in five states, but it will not keep quiet in Lok Sabha elections. The coming together of opposition parties is inevitable if the country is not to be submitted to fascists.
Congress needs to change its approach. It is going back to a lethargic approach soon as it has delivered a victory. It forgets the danger communal forces pose to the society and makes space for only opportunists. Former CM Siddaramaiah has said this is not the time to celebrate victory but to stand firmly against communal forces and fight them back. Congress has to strengthen its base of activists and party workers at cadre levels. They have to be informed about the secular credentials of the party. It should not stick to the dual stance it is exhibiting in the case of women’s entry into Sabarimala in Kerala where Congress seems to have joined hands with BJP to keep women out against the SC rule. This is opportunistic politics. Congress must think about a united opposition front at times of challenge like this.
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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
