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Since the Monsoon session of Parliament, the Opposition has been very active. Recently, a meeting of 17 Opposition parties was held to chalk out a strategy against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), keeping in view the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 5IF 4VOEBZ (VBSEJBO talked with senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader, former Minister of State (Agriculture) and presently a Rajya Sabha member, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, to get an idea of the Opposition’s plans. Excerpts:
2 3FDFOUMZ 4POJB (BOEIJ DIBJSFE B NFFUJOH PG 0Q QPTJUJPO QBSUJFT UP EJTDVTT UIF TUSBUFHZ BHBJOTU UIF SVMJOH EJT QFOTBUJPO $BO ZPV UFMM VT XIBU UIF 0QQPTJUJPO QBSUJFT BSF SFBMMZ UIJOLJOH " There are only two national parties in the country, the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Even now, the Congress has more than 100 members in parliament. We are the alternative to the BJP, it is also true that regional parties are strong in some states, but Congress is the only other pan-indian party. Therefore, other Opposition parties sat together with the leading party to discuss the prevailing situation of the country and chalk out a joint strategy. We all agree that we need to be united against the BJP and fight collectively.
2 8F TBX HDPOGSPOUBUJOBM QPMJUJDTV EVSJOH UIF SFDFOUMZ DPODMVEFE .POTPPO TFTTJPO PG QBSMJBNFOU XJUI NPTU PG JUT UJNF HFUUJOH XBTIFE PVU EVF UP EJTSVQUJPOT :PV BSF B NFNCFS PG 3BKZB 4BCIB JT JU SJHIU GPS EFNPDSBDZ " When I was a minister during the regime of United Progressive Alliance (UPA1), I had seen what type of confrontational politics the BJP used to do. Anywhere in the world, the responsibility to run the House rests with the government. During the monsoon session, everyday, under rule 267, at least 13-14 parties used to give notices for a discussion on the Pegasus issue, and farm bills which was necessary, but the government avoided it. We requested the government to discuss these issues as they were very pertinent, but the government refused. Therefore, it is not right to say we were doing confrontation.
2 *U IBT CFFO SFQPSUFE UIBU JO SFDFOU NFFUJOHT PG 0QQPTJUJPO MFBEFST MJLF ,BQJM 4JCBM T EJOOFS QBSUZ NBOZ QSPNJOFOU QPMJUJDBM MFBEFST IBWF DPJOFE UIF JEFB UP QVU VQ B KPJOU 0QQPTJUJPO DBOEJ EBUF BHBJOTU UIF #+1 JO -PL 4BCIB TFBUT BT JU T UIF POMZ XBZ MFGU UP EFGFBU UIF SVMJOH HPWFSO NFOU :PV XFSF QSFTFOU JO NBOZ TVDI NFFUJOHT *T JU HPJOH UP CF UIF TUSBUFHZ PG UIF 0QQPTJUJPO " It is right that we are trying to unite the Opposition; this type of experiment is happening in many states. We have seen that to keep the BJP out of power, we joined hands with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra; in Tamil Nadu, Opposition parties got united. The need for unity has been felt by all Opposition parties. The Congress is also making a strategy in this direction. So, wait for some time, then only things would be clearer.
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" I can tell you clearly, the Congress leadership has fixed my responsibility in the Rajya Sabha. I am not at all interested in becoming the state chief. Whosoever would be given the responsibility of the Bihar Congress, I am ready to work with him and strengthen the Congress in the state. I am a worker of the party only. I have no ambitions.
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" Time and again, Narendra Modi says in rallies that he is the son of a QJDISB (backward); the President talks about his caste affiliation. What Nitish Kumar is doing just for a photo session. In Karnataka, the state government run by the BJP has been conducting Caste census; therefore, who is stopping Nitish Kumar from conducting the caste census in the state.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has appealed to people not to take post-covid problems lightly. He urged them to go by doctors’ advice and take vaccination shots, apart from strictly following Covid-19 appropriate protocols.
CM Gehlot himself had a cardiac problem as a post-covid complication. He has now recovered after treatment. He has been advised to rest by the doctors. He is expected to be active once again by next week. An interesting aspect of this was that Gehlot’s sudden sickness united Congress leaders and workers of Rajasthan, with all of them wishing him a speedy recovery. Leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi immediately called to inquire about his health.
Similarly, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra and former party president of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot also wished Gehlot a speedy recovery.
The message, however, was that all the leaders have great respect for Gehlot, whatever be the political reservations.
Gehlot was also emotional at the sight of wishes pouring in. He thanked them all and expressed hope to be back to work soon.
Even during his post-covid problems, Gehlot was dealing with files every day.
In a message, Gehlot said that there was a blockage in an artery due to which angioplasty had been done. He said in the message: “I would be under observation at SMS Hospital. I will be at your service after recovering soon.”
He said that he did not have any cardiac problem before contracting Covid, which means it has developed as a postcovid complication. This happened three months after recovery from Covid. “I continued to work during the second wave peak despite being Covid positive. I could not rest then. This is the reason why such complications occurred. I could not even go to my home town Jodhpur for Rakshabandhan.”
“Doctors say that Covid impacts vital organs of people differently, and problems like tiredness and breathlessness should be taken seriously. Therefore, Covid appropriate behaviours like wearing a mask, keeping distance, washing hands, vaccination are a must.”
Gehlot said, “There has been good Covid management in Rajasthan, due to which the state has been acclaimed internationally as well. Experts say that all preparations are being made to fight the third wave. My effort is to ensure that Rajasthan becomes a model state in terms of fighting against Covid-19.”
Even during his postcovid problems, Gehlot was dealing with files every day. In a message, Gehlot said that there was a blockage in an artery due to which angioplasty had been done. He said in the message: “I would be under observation at SMS Hospital. I will be at your service after recovering soon.”