The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday questioned the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, as allies continue to fight each other in state elections. Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said, "Their contests against each other will be much more difficult than their fight against the BJP." The party noted the alliance lacks leadership and strategy.
Rajeev Ranjan Prasad flags leadership gaps and electoral rivalry among opposition allies.
New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday questioned the rationale behind the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, saying its constituents continued to contest against one another in state elections despite being part of an opposition alliance.
JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said the alliance lacked consensus on leadership, common issues and a joint electoral strategy.
"Their contests against each other will be much more difficult than their fight against the BJP," he said.
Prasad cited the electoral rivalry between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab and the contests involving the TMC, Congress and Left parties in West Bengal.
"What, then, is the rationale behind such alliances when there is no consensus on leadership or issues and no plan to contest elections together? The I.N.D.I.A. bloc must clarify the rationale behind such an alliance," he said.
His remarks came ahead of a virtual meeting of I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders on Thursday evening to discuss protests over alleged "vote chori" and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was scheduled to chair the meeting, which was also expected to review preparations for the alliance's November 1 rally in Delhi.
The meeting assumes significance amid speculation that the government may convene Parliament to introduce a constitutional amendment concerning delimitation and the early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act.