THE DMK and CPI-M on Sunday came down heavily on the Congress, accusing the party of “backstabbing” and “abusing” its partners in the INDIA bloc, and also charged its leaders with not taking everyone along in the Opposition alliance. Whereas the Congress said and asserted that the Opposition bloc continues to stand united through its diversity. Congress said that 23 political parties have confirmed their participation in the “INDIA janbandhan” meeting at the Constitution Club here on Monday. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said there are some parties that have expressed their inability to attend this particular meeting for their own reasons. The reaction came amid rifts between the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies, the DMK, the CPI-M and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). While the DMK has conveyed its decision not to participate in the Opposition alliance’s meeting on June 8, following the Congress pulling out of their alliance post the Tamil Nadu elections, the Left party has asked it to “clear the air” regarding its “deal with the BJP’ remarks during the Keralam poll campaign. Meanwhile, differences within Jharkhand’s ruling alliance have come to the fore over the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, with the JMM and the Congress at odds over seat-sharing. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee travelled to Delhi on Sunday, a day ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting, amid speculation of a possible split among the party’s MPs in Parliament. The former West Bengal Chief Minister was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen and veteran Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee.

 

TMC national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee travelled to the national capital on Saturday as the party leadership grappled with growing indications that the rebellion, which cost it control of its legislature wing in the West Bengal Assembly, could spread to its parliamentary party. Tagging Ramesh’s post, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said, “Meeting with a common purpose and clear intent. INDIA united. Many parties look forward to meeting in the spirit of camaraderie.” The INDIA bloc is set to deliberate on the future course of action with an eye on the 2029 general elections. It would look to devise a joint strategy to corner the Modi Government on national issues. The meeting also comes amid strain in ties among some constituents of the bloc, with DMK set to skip the meeting over what it has described as Congress’ “betrayal” in Tamil Nadu and the CPI(M) expressing its displeasure over the allegation by top Congress leaders that the Left had colluded with the BJP in Keralam. CPI(M) will be represented by its Rajya Sabha leader John Brittas at the INDIA bloc meeting on Monday, sources said. According to sources, CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby has recently written to Congress President Kharge seeking clarification on remarks by senior Congress leaders that suggested a political understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP in Keralam. The meeting also comes against the backdrop of the recent Assembly elections in which TMC and DMK were ousted from power.

 

The gathering is being seen as an effort to deepen coordination among opposition parties, particularly after the recent round of Assembly elections and amid evolving political equations in several States. The AAP has publicly distanced itself from the bloc, while the DMK this week announced its decision to boycott the meeting. In the past, the INDIA bloc leadership has also got together formally for consultations ahead of Parliament sessions, when Opposition parties discussed floor coordination and issues to be jointly raised against the Central Government. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said that his party has decided to boycott the INDIA bloc meeting because “we do not want to be in a place where the Congress is present”. “The Congress are backstabbers. They stole our work and the sweat and toil of the workers of the DMK party and then switched camps. It is opportunism at its best. It would be an insult to all the DMK cadres if the party participates in, or is seen at, a place where the Congress is a part,” he said.

 

However, he mentioned that DMK has made it very clear that it will listen to the voices of other parties. “We listen to their views on how to go forward and ensure that the common man in the country does not suffer,” Annadurai added. CPI-M leader Hannan Mollah stressed that as the largest party in the alliance, the Congress has a major responsibility. “Any biggest party in a coalition has a key role in holding the front together. But unfortunately, Congress leaders are not showing the required maturity,” he told IANS. Attacking party leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, he said: “If you want to lead, you have to carry everyone along. If you abuse your partners, who will remain with you? Rahul Gandhi criticises CPI-M in one place and DMK in another.” “If you want to keep these parties together and lead the alliance, you have to represent everyone. Other leaders may say different things, but as the leader of the Front, you cannot behave in a way that damages unity,” he noted. Mollah said that the Congress should know how to build up a front for which one needs to be serious, have the capacity to take everyone along and speak sensibly. “One cannot be a leader without these,” he emphasised. “The behaviour of Congress is damaging the alliance,” he claimed.