Tariq Anwar: Each Party in the INDIA Bloc Operates Independently
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) As Sanjay Raut, a member of the Shiv Sena-UBT, suggested that a formal declaration is needed regarding the relevance of the INDIA bloc, Congress MP Tariq Anwar stated on Friday that every party involved maintains its own identity and is capable of making decisions on its own.
In an interview with IANS, Anwar highlighted that while the Congress is dedicated to the coalition for the national-level Lok Sabha elections, extending this collaboration to state-level Assembly elections seems improbable.
"It has been clearly stated by the Congress that we are part of a coalition at the national level for the Lok Sabha elections. However, for Assembly elections, it appears unfeasible as each party has its own identity and can make independent decisions," he explained.
Regarding the future of the INDIA bloc, Anwar remarked: "Absolutely, whenever there are Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA bloc ought to remain united."
Responding to accusations from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding the BJP's alleged anti-Purvanchal stance, he dismissed these claims, asserting, "I believe there is no basis for this."
Meanwhile, as both the AAP and the Congress seek to assert their influence in the forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections, the fractures within the INDIA alliance have become increasingly evident. Raut noted that the Congress has been criticized for the lack of coordination, alleging that no meetings of the INDIA bloc have occurred since the Lok Sabha elections.
He observed that leaders from prominent parties within the coalition, such as Tejashwi Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Omar Abdullah, have voiced concerns over the bloc’s viability. "If this sentiment spreads among the populace, the largest party in the alliance, the Congress, bears responsibility for it," he asserted.
Raut further criticized the absence of communication within the coalition, calling for transparency. "There is no communication, no dialogue, no discussions. The situation within the INDIA bloc is not satisfactory, and public confidence is wavering. If the Congress believes that the alliance was established solely for the Lok Sabha elections and is no longer necessary, they should issue a formal announcement," he added.
The INDIA bloc was originally established in anticipation of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a coalition of opposition parties aimed at challenging the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
