Opposition plans to take 2019 battle to States

To puncture the BJP’s campaign that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are a direct fight between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Opposition is planning joint protest rallies against the Centre at various State capitals and major towns. The Rafale scam, demonetisation, and unemployment will be the key issues that will be discussed in these rallies.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is learnt to have conveyed to various leaders of the Opposition that the focus on Delhi-based programmes will ultimately feed the BJP’s idea of dividing the Opposition over its prime ministerial face. The Left parties are of the opinion that livelihood issues of people must get prominence in the rallies. The Rafale fighter aircraft deal is a subject close to the Congress leadership’s heart.

Pawar, who is holding regular meetings with Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, former JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, and leaders of various political parties has communicated to the Opposition parties that ironing out differences at the State level is more important than projecting unity in Delhi. Talking to reporters here last week, Pawar had said that finding a leader will not be a tough job for the Opposition.

Seat allocation matters

A senior leader who is aware of the discussions among Opposition parties said the real challenge was to iron out differences over seat allocation.

“This must be done at the State-level. The Central leaderships of the Opposition parties do not have much to do in the seat-sharing process. A national-level alliance is not viable and not possible. But experiments can be done at State-level,” the leader added.

The Opposition considers that the programme organised by Sharad Yadav at Talkatora Statdium was a success and a large number of people were in attendance. “Such rallies can be held at State capitals and other major towns. Issues such as demonetisation, unemployment, farmers’ distress and Rafale scam have attracted people’s attention,” another leader said.

The Left parties are also planning large-level mobilisations of peasants and workers at various Centres, including a massive rally in Delhi on Wednesday.

‘BJP is the enemy of the poor’

“Our effort is to make the poor people understand who their real enemy is. Unless these policies change, their lives cannot be improved,” CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Tapan Sen said.

“The Modi government is imposing their communal agenda and implementing their regressive economic policies on the strength of their large numbers in the Lok Sabha, forgetting the fact that only 31 per cent of the voters had voted for them in 2014,” said a resolution adopted by NCP National Council.