New Delhi: The INDIA alliance is “running out of time and ideas” to outthink the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, the Janata Dal (United) said on Sunday (January 7).The Indian Express quoted JD(U) chief national spokesperson K.C. Tyagi as saying that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement that the INDIA alliance would meet in “10 to 15 days” to make decisions about key posts was “disappointing”.He added that the Congress has to show urgency to see a vibrant INDIA bloc.According to the newspaper, the JD(U) has been pushing to get its party chief and Bihar chef minister Nitish Kumar appointed the bloc’s convener.Referring to the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Tyagi asked why the Congress was organising a yatra of its own, instead of turning it into an INDIA alliance yatra.“At a time the BJP has been able to ensure a great build-up to the Ram Temple inauguration, for the INDIA bloc it is imperative to offer a sound counter-narrative along demand of nationwide caste survey and other national issues. The Congress has embarked on its yatra. Rather, it should have been an INDIA Yatra in which all top alliance leaders could have participated. The Congress did not consult any of its allies before charting its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. We welcome their yatra but it was not a good time to start it. INDIA is still in a confused state. What if Lok Sabha polls are announced soon after the Ram Temple opening? We still do not have clarity on seat-sharing, agenda, and leadership roles. Congress should show its large-heartedness, shedding its big-brotherly attitude,” he said.The daily reported the JD(U) leader as saying that “the way allies are going in different directions is a matter of serious concern”.Also read: For India to Work, the Congress Must Take a Step Back“While West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary demanded President’s Rule after the Enforcement Directorate team was attacked, CPI MP Binoy Viswam questioned the propriety of Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress have been also sparring in Tamil Nadu. The Congress should take immediate steps to stop the INDIA bloc from drifting away.”On the seat-sharing talks, he said, “Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are the states where the Congress should try to accommodate its allies. We do want a stronger Congress but also a stronger INDIA bloc. The Congress should not also create confusion in the mind of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav by being reportedly in touch with the Bahujan Samaj Party as well.”An INDIA bloc leader told the daily that the convener would be responsible for taking crucial decisions, including seat-sharing among allies and devising campaign programmes in various states. He explained the distinction between the positions of the chairperson and the convenor. “The chairperson will only preside over meetings. Ahead of elections, the convener’s role will be very important,” he said.In December, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee pitched for Kharge as the alliance’s prime ministerial candidate. This suggestion was backed by both Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.However, Kharge had said that discussions on the alliance’s strategy and seat-sharing must precede any conversation on who the prime ministerial face will be.“In my political life, I have never used my Dalit identity for any post. I am a worker of the Congress. Our first objective is to win the elections,” he had said.Meanwhile, the Bihar chief minister has said he is not in the race for any post, including the prime ministerial post. However, the JD(U) has been pushing to make him the convener of the INDIA alliance.
