Mudda panellists feel that more than an “oust-Modi campaign” is needed for a new alternative to emerge for 2019 polls
Will the opposition ever get united for a grand alliance against the ruling BJP? APN’s popular debate Mudda discussed the issue threadbare. Anchorperson Anant Tyagi posed the questions to panelists including NCP’s Nawab Malik, BJP’s Ashok Thakur, Congress’s Omkar Nath, Samajwadi Party’s Pradeep Singh, RLD’s Anil Dubey, RJD’s Manoj Kumar, political expert Haseeb Siddiqui, and APN consultant Govind Pant Raju.
Thakur said he is very confident that 2019 will prove even better for the BJP. “TDP may have got miffed due to regional reasons, but we are confident. Shiv Sena will remain with us in 2019,” he said.
Omkar Nath said elections are won over various issues. “The government’s policies have failed to impress people, whether on the education front, on the home front, or on the international policy front,” he said.
Nawab Malik said “the grand alliance for 2019 will comprise UPA or the NDA. The third front comprises parties that shall not go with either of these.”
Anil Dubey said that the UP government was given a clear indication of people’s dissatisfaction with the BJP in the just-concluded polls.
Siddiqui said the “Congress has seen over the years how the ground can slip from under its feet. Nothing is permanent. Indira Gandhi faced defeat. Mass wave can go either ways. Opposition parties can get together because they are all determined to oust Modi.”
“Is anti-BJP the only common platform?” Anant asked.
Manoj Kumar said “the poor are completely dissatisfied due to the unfulfilled promises by the BJP. Lalu Yadav is working towards an alternative front.”
Raju said “the centre’s policies are under scrutiny by the people. 2019 polls will make things clearer as to what the people have to say on that. It also depends on opposition alliance. If the BJP is removed, the Congress will come. What’s the difference? A new alternative is needed to pose stiff competition to the BJP. UP, Bihar and Jharkhand alliance will have to be worked for the Congress to get stronger. PM’s face will matter in the general elections. The opposition needs to get clarity on that.”
Pradeep Singh said “the people are unhappy, and this is being reflected in opposition behaviour. Opposition alliance will get bigger in the coming days. TDP has turned against the BJP. Parties are looking at issues that they have to handle on their own.”
Omkar Nath said Sonia Gandhi has hosted a talk with opposition leaders, Sharad Pawar is also calling opposition parties for talks. “The opposition alliance will be led by the Congress ,” he said.
Nawab Malik said the Congress is in direct fight with the BJP in about 6-8 states. There are some regions like Bengal, Telengana or Orissa where Congress does not matter. “This time NDA will not cross the 175 mark.”
Manoj Kumar said in Jharkhand farmers are committing suicide, and farmers in other states too are not satisfied with the government’s efforts. “If opposition is united, the vote for opposition will not break,” he said.
Raju said “opposition parties want to unseat the BJP, but parties have their own aspirations as well. Leadership also counts in an opposition alliance to be successful.”
Omkar Nath said these are early days yet for a unique grand alliance to emerge.
Thakur said the Congress or the opposition has neither themudda nor the neta.
Siddiqui said parties change stance as per what suits them, from issue to issue, or from state to state.
Raju said parties always look for gains first before getting into pacts. Opposition had a good opportunity to get united against the BJP on the Rafale deal. “A big issue is needed for opposition alliance to be successful. Oust-Modi campaign alone is not enough,” he said.
~ Compiled by Niti Singh Bhandari