by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Exclusive story
"We are flexible” says Rahul to G-21 parties
When Mamata said all are equal, DMK, RJD batted for Rahul
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Dec. 12
Congress president Rahul Gandhi told the leaders of G-21, at the conclave of Opposition parties that his party is “flexible” and willing to accommodate the views of others.
He told the leaders that in order to change the Modi dispensation, the “Congress is willing to change” and give space to others.
according to a senior leader who participated in the conclave told Lokmat that Rahul Gandhi responded with maturity and was clear-headed.
Rahul Gandhi was responding to suggestions of some of the leaders at the meeting. In fact, it was West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who caused a flutter at the G-21 on Tuesday that “all parties are equal and no one is the leader here.” Mamata Banerjee reacted when the DMK leader M K Stalin who had said earlier that the Congress is the largest grouping in the Opposition and it should play the role of a catalyst. Tejashwi of the RJD who was also present at the meeting had echoed the same sentiments expressed by the DMK. When the turn of Mamata Banerjee came, she said that all parties have to fight the BJP. But no single party can lead it. “We all have to fight together and no one is the leader, “ she thundered.
At this juncture Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu rose to say that the very purpose of the G-21 meeting is to oust the BJP and not to elect a leader or project an individual. Interestingly, it was AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was having the last laugh at the G-21 meeting. It was first time that Kejriwal was invited to the Opposition conclave. It now transpires that he entered in the hall with Mamata Banerjee who had been fighting for AAP's entry. But it was Chandrababu Naidu who had also been persuading Rahul Gandhi not to make AAP untouchable. If Modi has to be defeated in 2019, AAP has to be acceptable in the grouping. Insiders say that the day is not far when AAP and Congress will have some sort of seat-sharing understanding in Delhi. It was because of this very reason that Kejriwal said at the meeting, “ I am with this thought of unity and I am with you.”
It also transpires that senior Congress leader Ahmad Patel is talking to all the leaders of the Opposition parties to bring them on the table. But this will continue to be a informal arrangement.
Ends
