Rahul Gandhi makes INDIA bloc speech public, allies ask: ‘Why not ours?’ | India News

NEW DELHI: Congress functionary Rahul Gandhi‘s decision to put in public domain the speech he delivered at INDIA bloc meeting on June 8 has not gone down well with some of the allies, given that it was a closed-door meeting where much was said and varied views were presented. Left parties CPM, CPI and CPI(ML) Liberation specially feel that “mutual trust” among members needs to be bolstered going forward if the bloc has to mount “resistance” against BJP, as suggested by Gandhi in his speech. Not just the release of speech, even what was said by Gandhi has evoked sharp reactions from certain allies over last few days. CPM general secretary MA Baby had on Saturday strongly objected to Gandhi’s remarks regarding former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in his speech. “While he released what he said to allies, the views of other INDIA bloc members expressed at the closed-door meeting are not in public domain,” Baby said. CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya emphasised that INDIA bloc will have to move beyond just being an electoral bloc and a grouping that comes together during Parliament sessions. “If we want to mount ‘resistance’ against BJP as suggested by Rahul Gandhi in his speech, then we have to meet and plan on raising issues affecting the public together as a group,” he said. On Rahul releasing his speech, he said, “This was an internal meeting, and if he was planning to release his speech, then ideally all political parties present in the meeting should have been consulted.” CPI general secretary D Raja said, “By that measure speeches of others should also be in public domain. Among various issues, the members had raised concern over Congress too.” While refusing to comment on Gandhi’s speech and his decision to release it, RJD MP Manoj Jha said it must be understood that as INDIA bloc is a grouping of political parties, there will be divergence of views. He sought focus on building synchronisation and highlighting issues as a group. Meanwhile, the DMK leadership is firmly holding on to its position over Congress severing its alliance with the party to support the TVK govt. DMK’s floor leader in Rajya Sabha Tiruchi Siva said, “We are very clear that we cannot share the same space with Congress anywhere in the backdrop of their betrayal in Tamil Nadu.” He said, “However, as far as other opposition allies go, we are with them in the fight against BJP.”