Rahul Gandhi’s conviction: Opposition parties unite, pledge to fight BJP
Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha on Friday united almost all opposition parties, which expressed solidarity with him and “pledged to fight” BJP by standing together. A day earlier, the parties were divided even while taking up the Adani issue.
Apart from AAP, one of the first to react to Gandhi’s conviction on Thursday, it was mostly formal allies like DMK and JMM that stood by Congress. JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar, a former ally of BJP, was conspicuous by his silence even on Friday.
Mamata Banerjee (TMC), K Chandrashekhar Rao (BRS), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Akhilesh Yadav (SP) and others came out in support of Rahul and attacked BJP, saying, “Opposition leaders are the prime target… in PM Narendra Modi’s New India.”
Mamata tweeted, “While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the Cabinet, opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches… Today, we have witnessed a new low.” KCR alleged that the move was the “zenith of Modi’s arrogance and dictatorial attitude”. Pawar tweeted that the disqualification “is against the basic tenets of the Constitution, where democratic values are being curtailed”. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan (CPM) termed it a “violent attack on democracy” by the Sangh Parivar. Akhilesh said the disqualification was meant to “divert attention from bigger issues”.
Meanwhile, over 30 opposition MPs started a protest march from Parliament House but were soon detained by the police.
