Shiv Sena Urges Congress to Strengthen INDIA Alliance for 2024 Elections
On Tuesday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) suggested to the Congress that to make the opposition INDIA bloc stronger, they should gather all their allies. The Shiv Sena also recommended appointing a “sarthi” (charioteer) to lead the alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
An editorial in the Sena (UBT) publication ‘Saamana,’ there a suggestion for the Congress, currently marking its 138th year, to aim for at least 150 seats on its own in the upcoming general elections next year.
The Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray and part of the INDIA bloc, emphasized that the outcomes of the recent assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh do not necessarily mean a final victory for the BJP.
The INDIA bloc, which is in the opposition, plans to gather in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting will focus on discussing a plan for a united campaign, deciding how to share seats, and revising the strategy to face the BJP in the 2024 general elections, following the setbacks in the recent assembly polls.
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee stated that the INDIA bloc’s candidate for the position of Prime Minister will be determined after the 2024 general elections.
On Tuesday, in the newspaper ‘Saamana,’ they said, “Congress needs to decide to win at least 150 seats in the 2024 elections. This can happen only if the INDIA alliance stays strong.”
It criticized the Congress for not collaborating with other opposition parties in the elections for the three states. The claim is that the Congress aimed to win in these states alone, deliberately avoiding regional parties and alliances. The statement suggests that whenever Congress believes it can win independently, it tends to exclude others. This self-pride, according to the claim, harmed both the Congress itself and the INDIA alliance.
The INDIA alliance needs to be more important, according to some opinions. They compared it to a chariot with 27 horses (representing 27 parties in the opposition bloc), but it’s stuck because it doesn’t have a leader (‘sarthi’). The editorial suggested that the INDIA alliance should have someone to coordinate and lead it.
People who argue against having a leader are harming the Indian bloc. The editorial insists that a leader or “sarthi” must be chosen. It suggests that the decision should be made during the December 19 meeting, and actions should follow accordingly. The Marathi Daily highlights that the INDIA alliance has many experienced and wise leaders.
The INDIA Alliance also needs to figure out who will represent them in 2024. It’s crucial to decide who will be the main face against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The editorial dismisses the idea that having many potential Prime Ministerial candidates is just self-consolation; a clear choice is necessary.
Quoting Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar, the editorial emphasizes that the Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar group) should recognize the alliance’s importance. It draws a parallel with how the unity of several nations defeated German dictator Adolf Hitler.
The aim of the INDIA alliance in the opposition should be to defeat the leadership, like defeating Hitler and securing a victory for INDIA, according to the editorial. It argues that the recent results in three states don’t guarantee an ultimate win for the BJP. The editorial asserts that leaders like Modi and Shah are not invincible, but to defeat them, the Indian bloc must stay strong and determined.
In 2024, the battle will be against Modi-Shah’s revamped BJP, challenging the use of EVMs, financial influence, and central agencies. The editorial contends that the ruling party is promoting the slogan “Abki Baar Charsau Paar” based on these elements.
Against this backdrop, the INDIA alliance is meeting in Delhi today. It’s positive that the Congress has taken the lead, and it will be interesting to see how many parties join hands, the editorial remarked.
The editorial claims that Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party is battling alone against the BJP, with some senior AAP leaders in jail. In this situation, the Marathi publication suggests that the Congress, as the big brother, should step up and demonstrate a sense of unity.
Even though the recent assembly poll results in three states aren’t very favorable for the INDIA alliance, the editorial advises the BJP not to go overboard. It points out that the Congress still managed to secure 40 percent of the votes, indicating significant support.
