Not Declaring PM Candidate, Want Oppn Unity: Congress President Kharge At DMK Event

Mallikarjun Kharge further lashed out at BJP alleging it was trying to polarise for electoral gains even as people were bearing the brunt of rising inflation and unemployment.

New Delhi: Calling for Opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said it was the need of the hour to unitedly fight against "divisive forces" and said that the question of a Prime Ministerial candidate of such a bloc was "not the question".

Addressing a DMK event to mark the 70th birthday of its party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Kharge lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging it was trying to polarise for electoral gains even as people were bearing the brunt of rising inflation and unemployment.

“More than 23 crore people have been pushed Below Poverty Lines because of the BJP govt's failure. The common man is hit by inflation, youth is hit by unemployment but BJP is interested in polarising the society to win elections,” the Congress chief said.

"All like-minded opposition parties must come together in this fight against divisive forces. I never said who will lead, who will become the Prime Minister. We (Congress) are not telling who will lead or not going to lead. It is not the question. We want to fight together unitedly, that is our desire. That is why we have sacrificed many times in the name of secularism, in the name of liberty, in the name of freedom of expression," he said, adding, "That we have done and showed, and we have also lost many times."

Kharge further said that there is a need to remain united to protect the country and the Constitution.

“Congress-DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu led to Lok Sabha victories in 2004, 2009 and Assembly victories in 2006 and 2021. We should continue to strengthen our alliance and lead foundation for the 2024 Lok Sabha victory for the UPA alliance,” Kharge said.

Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said there are chances for MK Stalin to become the Prime Minister if the Opposition parties come together and win the Lok Sabha election next year.

Asked on chances of Stalin becoming the Prime Minister, he said, "Why not? Why can't he become the Prime Minister?"