Opposition’s Chessboard: The Quest for a ‘Dalit PM’ and Mallikarjun Kharge’s Steadfast Stand
New Delhi: In a strategic move at the fourth meeting of the opposition India Bloc, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal rallied behind Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as a possible prime ministerial face against PM Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. of. However, Kharge immediately rejected the proposal, stressing the imperative need to focus on defeating the BJP.
Notably, Banerjee hinted at the possibility of a ‘Dalit PM’ while stressing on the inclusiveness of the alliance, without explicitly naming Kharge. Congress leader PJ Joseph clarified that Banerjee had not specifically proposed Kharge but suggested the strength of the alliance in putting forward a Dalit leader.
Kharge, who is known for his commitment to equality and not getting involved in caste-based politics, rejected the idea, focusing his attention on winning the elections collectively. Congress, while maintaining silence on the resolution, reiterated Kharge’s sentiment during the press conference.
However, Kharge’s stance did not go down well with JDU and RJD as Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav left before the meeting. Despite internal differences, the Indian faction pledged to accelerate seat-sharing talks, aiming to reach a consensus by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the UP Congress urged Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Kharge to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh, citing the political importance of the state and the historical association of Rae Bareli and Amethi with the Gandhi family.
As the political landscape unfolds, the search for a strong opposition and the choice of a prime ministerial candidate remain important in shaping the election narrative.
