6 June 2024: In a significant political development, former Union Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Yashwant Sinha has called on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar to sever ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and join the INDIA bloc. Sinha emphasized that their future actions would be critically judged by history if they continued to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following the recent results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Sinha urged the two leaders to make a decisive shift to the opposition alliance, INDIA, to safeguard India’s constitution and democracy. He accused PM Modi of undermining the nation’s future by misusing government agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department to intimidate political opponents and business leaders. Sinha further alleged that Modi utilized illegal Electoral Bonds and crony capitalists to manipulate elections and exert control over the media, bureaucracy, and the Election Commission.
“Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar should immediately switch from the NDA to the INDIA Alliance to save India’s constitution and democracy. History will judge their actions. Modi is shamelessly destroying India’s future by: (1) using ED, CBI, and Income Tax agencies to coerce politicians and business people; (2) using money power through illegal Electoral Bonds and crony capitalists to buy elections and MP/MLAs; and (3) controlling the media, bureaucracy, and EC to advance his megalomania. The people have taken this so-called ‘divine person’ and shown him his true place – the dustbin of history along with all the other dictators!” Sinha stated in a post on X.
Sinha’s remarks came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, celebrating the NDA’s ‘historic’ third term. Modi pledged to focus on major decisions and intensify efforts to root out corruption during his third term, asserting that the battle against corruption would become tougher.
“The fight against corruption is becoming tougher by the day. Corruption is being shamelessly glorified for political interest. In our third term, NDA will focus a lot on rooting out corruption of all kinds,” PM Modi declared.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc met on June 5 to discuss their future strategy. Speculation is rife that some influential opposition leaders have already approached Naidu and Kumar, potentially offering key positions such as Deputy Prime Minister to entice their support.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also criticized PM Modi, asserting that the 2024 election results represented a mandate against the Prime Minister. “We had been saying that this battle is between public and Modi…This mandate is against Modi. This is his political and moral defeat. It is a big defeat for a person who sought votes in his own name. He has suffered a moral setback,” Kharge remarked at the AICC headquarters.
This political maneuvering highlights the intense and ongoing shifts within India’s political landscape as leaders navigate alliances and strategies ahead of future challenges.
