It'll be Modi vs India in 2019, say opposition leaders


New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS): Indian elections are based on ideologies and not personalities, said key opposition leaders on Friday and stressed that 2019 general elections will be a "Modi vs India" affair.

Speaking at the launch of Congress parliamentarian Kapil Sibal's new book "Shades of Truth - A Journey Derailed", they said that "a very broad-based strategic coalition" would be formed in "at least 25 states" to take on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2019 polls.

After a brief address by former Vice President Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Charting the "all-round failure" of the government, Singh charged that the country is facing "an agrarian crisis, economic turmoil and deteriorating ties with neighbouring countries".

He accused the Modi government of ignoring the plight of farmers, which has resulted in numerous protests in state capitals as well as the national capital.

Singh, Ansari and Sibal together unveiled the book to a packed house at the Nehru Memorial Museum Library here.

The book launch was followed by a panel discussion participated by Sibal, P. Chidambaram, Sitaram Yechury, Chandan Mitra and Sharad Yadav. They discussed the prospects of a joint opposition front for the 2019 general elections.

The panelists agreed that the opposition unity would be vital in the coming elections, with Sibal asserting that in "at least 25 states" a "very broad-based strategic coalition" would be worked upon to counter the BJP.

Chidambaram recounted that even in 2014 general elections, despite the wind in its favour, the BJP failed to attract the masses in several states like Punjab, West Bengal, Kerala and Odisha.

Sibal also noted that the north Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, both currently ruled by the NDA, would have a decisive role to play in the next elections.

On the question of who will be the prime ministerial candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) against Modi, all panelists, except Chandan Mitra of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), maintained that a prime ministerial face is not important.

Yadav recounted a series of elections where a joint coalition had formed the government without declaring their prime ministerial candidate in advance.

"But, much water has flown through the Yamuna since the time you are talking about," interjected Mitra, who recently quit the BJP to join its adversary in West Bengal. He said the voters are much more aware today and therefore a prime ministerial candidate is important.

Mitra maintained that the prime ministerial candidate of the UPA must be from a regional party, whose credentials are well established.

Responding to an audience question, Sibal said that Congress President Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that he is ready to take on Modi, so there is no question of "whether or not he is up for it".

"He is up for it and he has said that publicly," Sibal quipped, adding that a prime ministerial face is not important before the elections.

He recalled that there was a debate before 2014 general elections that the country needs a strong leadership and a prominent face. "The great leader (Modi) has given us demonetisation," he said.

"It will be Modi vs India," said Yadav, as the panelists nodded in affirmation and loud claps by opposition leaders resonated in the packed hall.

On their projections for the 2019 general elections, the panelists reiterated that the coming together of the opposition parties at state level would result in their victory.

The attendees included opposition leaders across political parties, including Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Sitaram Yechury of the CPI-M, former JD-U members Sharad Yadav and Pavan Varma, TMC member Chanadan Mitra and a host of senior Congress leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Saman Khurshid and Shashi Tharoor, among others.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rolf, Dubai

    Sun, Sep 09 2018

    How you know he is strong.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ethnic Orchid, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    The communal minorities are upset. Cong is in its death bed. Just 2 states on its own (Punjab, thanks to Mr. A Singh) and Pappu speaks like he is the next PM . The pathetic Cong will allign with any losing party to project itself as a biggest opposition and winner. Like what happened in Ktaka.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • sagar shetty, udupi

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    Its Modi verses Chaddiless slaves in 2019

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • jr, MANGALORE

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    THE REALITY IS IN INDIA IT WILL BE MODI VS ALIBABA & CHAALIS CHOR.

    WE WILL APPRECIATE MODI'S DARING ACTS IN THE LARGER INTEREST OF ECONOMY.

    ATALJI TRIED TO DO SOMETHING BUT COULD NOT DO IT FOR LACK OF CLEAR MAJORITY.

    WE FEEL PITY ON SO CALLED OPPSN. LEADERS WHO WERE THROWN OUT AFTER A DECADE RULE WITH PALTRY 2DIGIT 44 AND IN 2019 THERE IS NO SURPRISE IF IT COMES DOWN TO SINGLE DIGIT.

    OPPSN. MUST HAVE WRONGLY TAKEN IT GRANTED THAT INDIAN VOTERS ARE FOOLS.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Truth, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    See the pathetic state of Grand old national party!
    To take on BJP they are aligning with their arch rivals in 25 states???

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anticorrupt, Mangalore, Kuwait

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    Such statements make Modi more popular. Amit Shah will manage to rig the election. Amit is a chanakya more than a politician.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    The underlying prime factor which every Hindustani's must take note of is to save REAL Hinduism from FEKU Hinduism....!!!!!

    What we see around is nothing but..... DODMBARATA...!!!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sampath, India

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    It is
    Indians vs anti indians
    Modi vs slaves
    Desh bhakts vs tukde Gang
    Nationalist vs psudo seculars
    Kaamdaar vs Naamdaar
    Developer vs Chors
    Real face vs fake Gandhis

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rolf, Dubai

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    We follow one slogan.
    MODI HATAVO BARATH KO BACHAVO.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jhanavi, Udupi

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    what a foolish comment "Modi vs India in 2019".. when everywhere BJP is winniong.. how come it will be Modi vs India in 2019.... congi like pappu is out of thier senses.... when 75% of india is with modi why will modi have to fight against india to win.... like wise what has congi done so far to India.... all political tricks.. trying to brainwash people mind by talking against modi and bjp.... this time again BJP will rule in central ....

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • neeth, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    That means Modi Vs Modi or India Vs India

    DisAgree [3] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    If Modi Wins in 2019, India will Disintegrate ...

    DisAgree [11] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • sk, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    Such threats wont work..Keep dreaming

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Truth, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    Congress will disintegrate!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • PEDDA GUNDOO, MANGALURU

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    LORD MODI AND LORD SHAHA WILL COME BACK AGAIN FOR SURE AS THEY ARE THE GODS OF THIS COUNTRY ! WE ARE ENOUGH WORSHIPERS OF THESE DEMIGODS

    NAMO NAMO GODS OF THIS COUNTRY

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gilbert, Udupi/Kuwait

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    BJP's all round failure!!! UPA party's must expose their failed policies to all the voters of the country and implement reforms for better INDIA. BJP is only for publicity and ACCHE DIN????. Where are Smart cities, 15 lakhs, air travel for common man, Jobs, farmer suicides, Lynchings??? and policy paralysis....

    DisAgree [4] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    Instead of Acce Din we got GAY Din ...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sampath, India

    Sat, Sep 08 2018

    Good that you are happy with it..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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