'Those Speaking In Different Voices Will Come Together To Defeat BJP': Shashi Tharoor

"Free voices are being strangled in the country right now," Tharoor remarked at the presentation of his book "Pride, Prejudice, and Punditry."

Senior Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congressman, expressed optimism on Saturday that opposition parties that have been coming out against the grand old party will unite together since they have the same aim of defeating the BJP.

The former union minister criticised the NDA government's plan to commemorate Good Governance Week, claiming that the "substance of good governance" has been lacking for the past seven years, as slogans and symbols have replaced good governance.

'Free Voices Are Being Strangled In The Country': Tharoor 

"Free voices are being strangled in the country right now," Tharoor remarked at the presentation of his book "Pride, Prejudice, and Punditry." The Prabha Khaitan Foundation hosted the book launch event.

"In politics even one week is a very long time. So there is still two and a half years to go for the next Lok Sabha poll. We are hopeful that those who are speaking in different voices will come together to defeat BJP. The goal is to defeat not just the BJP but also its policies and politics," he was quoted by PTI in its report.

Various opposition parties, notably the TMC, have chastised Congress for failing to confront the BJP.

"My big problem with this government is that there is no good governance for 52 weeks of the year. So having good governance for just one week may not be enough. They (NDA) need to get their act together and serve the entire time of the year and not just once," Tharoor said while affirming that the country has been without effective administration for the past seven years, since the BJP-led NDA took control at the centre.

Good Governance Week

As part of Good Governance Week, the Centre will start a nationwide campaign on Monday to address public concerns and improve service delivery, particularly in rural regions.

During the week of December 20-25, the ministry of personnel, public complaints, and pensions is planning a series of programmes.

(With PTI Inputs)