JD(U) Targets INDIA Bloc Ahead of Meeting, Questions Opposition Unity

JD(U) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak accused the Congress of not following what he described as the spirit of the alliance, arguing that differences among its constituent parties have affected its functioning.

“The name is INDIA Bloc, UPA, but that alliance is only about obstinacy. Congress, because of its obstinacy, has still not followed the spirit of the alliance, and it has to bear the consequences,” Rajak said.

He further claimed that several parties within the grouping were not fully committed to the alliance.

“The parties that are there are neither with them wholeheartedly nor in spirit; they are with them only in words, wherever they are,” Rajak added.

Union Minister of State Ram Nath Thakur also referred to JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's earlier association with the Opposition alliance.

Thakur recalled the period when the Congress and JD(U) were part of the Mahagathbandhan and said Nitish Kumar had not been appointed convenor of the alliance despite a proposal for the role.

“When the Congress was part of the Mahagathbandhan, and the proposal came to make Nitish Kumar the convenor, he was not made convenor, as if by some conspiracy. So Nitish Kumar made his own decision and joined the NDA alliance,” Thakur said.

He said the Congress should now focus on strengthening its own organisation rather than revisiting Nitish Kumar's political decisions.

“Now, what is the point of discussing Nitish Kumar? There is no benefit to it. Whatever decision the Congress party has made, it should stick to its decision and work towards strengthening its own party,” he added.

Purnia MP Pappu Yadav, meanwhile, said the focus of the Opposition should extend beyond the meeting itself and address broader concerns involving democracy, constitutional values and citizens' rights.

“The question is not about the meeting. The question is about the country. It is about the rights of 140 crore people of this country, its sovereignty, democratic values and the democratic system,” Yadav said.

He also criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the ongoing controversy surrounding electoral-roll revisions, alleging that the process had affected citizens' democratic rights.

The INDIA bloc meeting is expected to take up issues discussed during the recent Congress Working Committee meeting, including the party's demands concerning the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The Opposition grouping is also expected to discuss a possible nationwide campaign, which could include protests and public meetings over the functioning of the Election Commission. The possibility of pursuing an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner in Parliament has also been discussed by opposition leaders.

The political confrontation has intensified amid reports of differences between Election Commissioners over aspects of the voter-list revision process. Opposition parties have continued to raise questions about the exercise and the functioning of the poll panel.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also alleged irregularities in the electoral process and accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of favouring the BJP. The Election Commission has rejected the allegations.