A political storm erupts over Opposition alliance “INDIA”
A political storm has hit over the nomenclature of the 26 Opposition parties' alliance as INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). While many leaders and parties feel that it is not appropriate to nickname the alliance as INDIA, the ruling NDA alliance dubbed it as a “political tool” in desperation. Some of them even feel that there should have been broad-base discussion before announcing the name.
It was TMC's Dereck O'brien who tweeted in the midst of the leaders' meeting yesterday “Chuck De India”. This was immediately followed by Congress MP Manick Tagore in his tweet “Jeetega India”. As if this was not enough, Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) used “INDIA” thrice in her tweet.” All this created utter confusion and acrimony began.
Though Janata Dal (U) president Lalan Singh made it clear today that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is not angry with the name INDIA as it was he who brought the Opposition parties together.
The clarification may have helped in subsiding the unhappiness among other parties as credit for choosing the name went to Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee.
The AAP leaders found nothing wrong in the Opposition alliance as INDIA. Sanjay Raut, Sena Uddhav MP said, “Supporters of Narendra Modi used to say PM Modi is India but he is not India. Every citizen of the country is India.”
According to a senior leader who was inside the meeting, reports that appeared in a few TV channels were not true as enough discussion was held on the name of the alliance. The Congress's Tamil Nadu ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) suggested Save India Alliance while the Left parties suggested, “ We for India alliance.” But many felt it sounded like a slogan. Finally, Rahul Gandhi emphatically pushed for INDIA and others agreed. Those knocking at the doors of Election Commission for preventing the use of INDIA may not succeed as alliance is not a political party.
