Leaders of INDIA bloc stress on unity to defeat BJP in upcoming elections

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin/ PTI

Leaders from the INDIA Bloc, including the DMK, Congress, Left parties, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), gathered in Tiruchirappalli for the VCK-organized "Democracy will win" summit. The leaders highlighted the significance of unity in defeating the ruling BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

M K Stalin, DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, spoke at the conference, as did Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, leaders of the CPI (M) and CPI. The conference took place amidst uncertainty in the opposition, notably in Bihar, where the Mahagathbandhan is facing issues.

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During a mayoral election in Chandigarh, Stalin emphasised the BJP's concern that opposition constituents could unseat the saffron party from power at the centre. He urged INDIA Bloc leaders to seize the current chance for victory.

"When they cancel even a mayor level poll, the INDIA alliance leaders must realise the fear of the BJP. We have to use this. We have to clasp the opportunity that we have now got. If we remain united, the BJP will be defeated. Democracy will win and time will say that. Thirumavalavan will also win and time will say that too," the PTI report stated.

In a statement read aloud by Lok Sabha MP Su Thirunavukkarasar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasised Dr Ambedkar's warning against blind devotion and advocated for a reasoned and dialogue-based political culture.

"Today, as we navigate a nation, where personality often overshades principles, let us follow Ambedkar's words and strive for a political culture based on reason, dialogue and inclusivity."

Sitaram Yechury stated that the INDIA Bloc was dedicated to defending the country's republic and accused the BJP of undermining federalism. He asked opposition parties to band together to combat the BJP's objective of changing the democratic republic into a "fascist Hindutva Rashtra."

"The only slogan we have to give today is to save India in order to change India for the better," Yechury was quoted as saying in the PTI report.

D Raja, CPI general secretary, highlighted Ambedkar's work in framing the Constitution, emphasising his aim of stopping India from becoming a Hindutva Rashtra.

In a resolution, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan proposed that all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections be linked to the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system. He urged that electors deposit VVPAT slips in separate boxes and that results be declared based on the number of VVPAT slips.

Thirumavalavan offered 33 resolutions, which were adopted during the conference, including a proposal for the establishment of the Proportional Representation system for elections.