‘Will Talk to New Allies and See How We Can Reach Majority’: Kharge Outlines INDIA Bloc’s Next Action Plan
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday outlined the next action plan of the recently formed INDIA bloc of like-minded opposition parties. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the bloc, Kharge said the group would “talk to new allies and see how we can reach a majority.” He added that the bloc was open to new parties joining and would work towards strengthening the opposition to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The INDIA bloc, which stands for “Indian National Dialogue for Unity and Alliance,” was formed earlier this month with the aim of providing a united front against the BJP in the upcoming 2024 general elections. The bloc currently consists of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Janata Dal (Secular). Kharge said that the bloc had already held several meetings and had discussed various issues, including the upcoming presidential election, the latest Agnipath scheme for military recruitment, and the price rise. Regarding the presidential election, Kharge said the bloc would field a joint candidate to oppose the BJP nominee. “We will discuss with all the opposition parties and come to a consensus on a joint candidate,” he said. On the Agnipath scheme, Kharge said the bloc opposed the government’s decision to recruit soldiers only for a four-year period. He said the scheme would “destroy the morale” of the armed forces and was “not in the interests of the country.” The INDIA bloc leaders also discussed the issue of price rise, which has been a major concern for the common people in recent months. Kharge said the government had failed to control inflation and had “ignored the suffering of the people.” He added that the bloc would continue to raise these issues in Parliament and outside and would work towards providing a credible alternative to the BJP in the next elections.
Will talk to new allies and see how we can reach majority’: Kharge outlines INDIA bloc’s next action plan
New Delhi:
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the newly formed ‘INDIA’ bloc will talk to other opposition parties and see how to reach a majority in the Upper House. The ‘INDIA’ bloc, which stands for ‘Indian National Democratic Alliance’, was formed on Friday by 13 opposition parties, including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and the Nationalist Congress Party. “We will talk to other opposition parties and see how we can reach a majority in the Rajya Sabha,” Kharge told reporters here. He said the ‘INDIA’ bloc will work together to raise issues of public importance in the Rajya Sabha and hold the government accountable. “We will also work to build consensus on important issues and ensure that the voice of the opposition is heard in the Upper House,” Kharge said. The formation of the ‘INDIA’ bloc is seen as a significant development in the Rajya Sabha, where the government has been facing a tough time due to a lack of majority. The bloc could potentially give the opposition the numbers it needs to block government legislation and hold it accountable. The Rajya Sabha is currently in the midst of a session, which is scheduled to end on August 12. The opposition is likely to use the remaining days of the session to raise issues such as the Pegasus snooping scandal, the rising prices of essential commodities, and the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
