‘INDIA Bloc Must Stay United for Larger Democratic Cause’
Uma Shanker Pandey, UP Congress spokesperson, says the recent Assembly election results will trigger introspection and resurgence of the Opposition bloc. His views:
The Congress ideology has always been rooted in inclusiveness, and the INDIA platform was created to bring together like-minded parties that believe in India’s democratic and constitutional values. Unfortunately, these principles are missing from the BJP’s model of governance, which, in our view, is driven primarily by the pursuit of power at any cost.
There are numerous examples of the BJP weakening or absorbing regional parties for its political gains. Among them are the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, the Bahujan Samaj Party led by Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh, the JD(U) in Bihar, the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, and the BJD in Odisha. The list is long. West Bengal, too, has a similar story. It was Mamata Banerjee who initially engaged with the BJP and, in a way, facilitated its entry into the state’s political landscape. The consequences of that decision are now visible to everyone.
While differences among opposition parties were evident during the recently concluded Assembly elections, those disagreements should now be left behind. Mamata Banerjee has herself called upon like-minded parties to unite against the BJP’s policies and actions. The larger objective of protecting democratic institutions and constitutional values must take precedence over individual political differences.
As far as developments in Tamil Nadu are concerned, the Congress chose to part ways with its long-time ally, the DMK, with the intention of preventing the BJP from repeating the political manoeuvres it has employed elsewhere. One such example was Arunachal Pradesh, where the BJP succeeded in bringing then Congress leaders, including Pema Khandu and several MLAs, into its fold and subsequently formed the government.
Although the BJP currently has only a limited presence in Tamil Nadu, it possesses considerable experience in such political strategies. It was with this concern in mind that new political alignments were explored. As for the resentment reportedly expressed by DMK leader M.K. Stalin, he is a seasoned and mature politician with a deep political legacy. He understands the broader context in which these decisions were taken. Any disappointment or frustration is likely to be temporary, and we remain hopeful that, in time, he will appreciate the larger objective behind these realignments. We are confident that democratic and secular forces will eventually come together again for the greater cause.
The INDIA alliance is now focused on the upcoming Assembly elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. In Uttar Pradesh, we fully agree with the approach of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who has consistently emphasised that victory matters more than the number of seats contested. We are preparing vigorously across all 403 Assembly constituencies, just as our allies are doing. It is only through such commitment and cooperation that opposition parties can effectively challenge the BJP. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the voters.
Seat-sharing arrangements are not yet under discussion and will be worked out at an appropriate time. For now, organisational preparations are underway across the state. It is the responsibility of all democratic forces to unite under the banner of the INDIA alliance and prevent what many perceive as an increasing centralisation of power. The larger goal is to safeguard India’s democratic framework, preserve constitutional values, and protect the federal structure that has long been one of the defining features of the Republic.
As told to Rajat Rai
