JD(U) Calls Congress 'Bhasmasur' After Exiting I.N.D.I.A. Bloc, Targets Kharge, Rahul Gandhi

The decision to propose Kharge as the chairperson during the I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting earlier this month surprised the JD(U), which anticipated that Kharge and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will be the convenor.

Bihar CM and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar seen with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the opposition parties' meeting, in Patna on June 23, 2023 ( Image Source :PTI )

After its exit from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Bihar, the JD(U) attributed the blame for it on the Congress, accusing its leaders of prioritising their party's interests over the opposition grouping. K C Tyagi, a spokesperson for the Janata Dal (United), claimed that a "caucus" within the Congress aimed to take control of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc leadership. He alleged that Mallikarjun Kharge's name was proposed as the chairperson as part of this conspiracy, reported news agency PTI.

The decision to propose Kharge as the chairperson during the I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting earlier this month surprised the JD(U), which anticipated that its president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would be named as the convenor without being burdened with the chairperson position.

Rajib Ranjan, another JD(U) spokesperson, went further in criticising the Congress, accusing it of sinking itself by endorsing a leader with no qualities and who harms the opposition alliance—a veiled reference to Rahul Gandhi. Ranjan referred to the Congress as "bhasmasur," a mythological demon known for destructive touch.

Responding to the Congress' accusation of opportunism against Kumar after he rejoined hands with the BJP, Tyagi argued that it was the Congress' obstinacy that derailed the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. Despite local issues with the RJD, the main opposition party in Bihar, Tyagi squarely blamed the Congress for the developments.

Tyagi told PTI, "We have regret as well as relief that our leader who brought together the I.N.D.I.A. bloc has walked out of it." Further, he revealed that the Congress wanted to capture the ground of regional parties by making a disproportionate demand for seats in the states they are strong in. He criticised the Congress for directing allies like Mamata Banerjee and Bihar CM Kumar to join its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as if they were party workers.

Highlighting the Congress' alleged failure to accommodate allies in states where it is strong, Tyagi pointed to several assembly polls. He asserted that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc lacked the necessary optics to compete with the BJP, a grassroots party led by the popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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