New Delhi: A day after the Lok Sabha results, the INDIA bloc leaders met in the national capital at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The Opposition bloc has decided not to stake a claim to form the next government.
Addressing the gathering of leaders in his opening remark, Mr Kharge said, "The INDIA bloc welcomes all parties that share its fundamental commitment to the values enshrined in the Preamble to our Constitution and to its many provisions for economic, social and political justice."
Thanking the INDIA bloc partners, the Congress president added, "I welcome all INDIA bloc partners. We fought well, fought unitedly and fought resolutely."
Speaking with the media after the meeting, Mr Kharge said, “We held discussions for two hours about the current political situation. We have received many suggestions...the constituents of the INDIA bloc thank the people of India... People have given a befitting reply to the BJP's politics of hate.”
The Opposition alliance has decided to adopt a wait-and-watch approach. CPI leader D. Raja also said that the INDIA bloc is not going to stake a claim to form the government at the Centre.
In a joint statement, the INDIA bloc expressed gratitude towards the people of India for the “overwhelming support".
“The people’s mandate has given a befitting reply to the BJP and their politics of hate, corruption and deprivation. This is a political and moral defeat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the statement said.
“This is a mandate in defence of the Constitution of India and against price rise, unemployment and the crony capitalism of the Modi government. The INDIA bloc will continue to fight against the fascist rule of the BJP led by Mr Modi. We will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time to realise the people’s desire not to be ruled by the BJP’s government," it added.
Senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi were present at the meeting.
DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, JMM leader Kalpana Soren, NC leader Omar Abdullah and Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and Mr Raja, amongst others, attended the INDIA bloc meeting.
