Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

The ongoing efforts by opposition parties to stitch together a broad alliance to counter Narendra Modi’s BJP government in 2019 elections took a big step forward after Telangana CM K. Chandrashekhar Rao held discussions with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee yesterday.

Rao, who was the first political bigwig to float the idea of a non-Congress and non-BJP front, said all like-minded regional parties must come together and create a “federal front” that will not be mere political alliances but will be a clear effort to work for the people of the country.

Addressing reporters at West Bengal’s state secretariat in Kolkata following the hour long meeting, KCR said, “People are thinking there will be another front before 2019. But let me clarify that this will be the front for people of India. This will not be an alliance of just political parties, but this will be for the people. There is a need for an alternative force.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said on her part that she and KCR have started a dialogue and spoken to parties. She said just a single party (referring to BJP) must not rule the country, and they are hopeful of garnering support of other parties to make a strong federal front.

Media reports suggested that there have been differences between Mamata and KCR on the issue of the Congress party being a part of this alliance. While Banerjee supports Congress and wants their participation in the alliance, KCR is in favour excluding them as people of the country want an alternative to it and BJP as national parties.

Congress itself has been warming up to the idea of garnering opposition unity for creating a large alliance to counter BJP’s massive national presence during next year’s general elections. Right after Sonia Gandhi had invited leaders of almost twenty opposition parties for dinner, Congress president Rahul Gandhi also indicated his outreach efforts during his party’s 84th plenary session held recently.

By dhruv