Attacking the Opposition and the possibility of Mahagatbandhan ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav said that those voicing support for grand alliance might join Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the general elections.
Madhav, along with former Chief Ministers Akhilesh Yadav and Omar Abdullah, senior Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Rashtriya Lok Dal's Jayant Chaudhary were a part of a panel discussion, at the launch of journalist Priya Saghal's book – The Contendors. The session was moderated by veteran journalist Vir Sanghvi.
Speaking at the launch, Madhav said:
“The Mahagathbandhan is a non-starter at the moment. It is motivated by one single agenda of hatred. That is wrong. I can say one thing – those who are saying Mahagathbandhan will defeat PM Modi, after 2019, if situation arrives, some of them will join Modi.”
Taking a dig at Madhav's statement, former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked if this indicated that the prime minister "will be looking for friends, post 2019 results."
Rivalry Between Yadav and Gandhi?
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also cleared the air that there was no "rivarly" between the Congress President Rahul Gandhi and him. However, he sidestepped Sanghvi's question on who would "lead" the Oppositon.
“The country needs leaders who understand social agenda. If we understand grassroot problems, and want to fight them together, then we can get together. How can we now say who will lead us, we are all leaders,” Yadav said.
Yadav claimed that he did not "see the big dream" of becoming the prime minister.
Madhav, however, reacted to at Yadav's comment by stating that the BJP was not "worried" about the Oppositon unity because "they are together today and divorcing tomorrow."
“I am not worried by their unity because they’re together today and divorcing tomorrow. But no chance of single handed fight against us, so let them come together.”
Political Heirs Take on Dynasty Politics
"One cannot control which family they are born into, but the individuals they become. Judge them on their actions, not their birth," said Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who is leading the campaign for the party in poll-bound Rajasthan.
Elaborating on dynasty politics, Omar Abdullah, son of senior politician Farooq Abdullah said that he would “walk away” from politics if he felt he wasn’t making a difference.
"If I feel I am not making a difference, I will walk away – genes or no genes. Your surname doesn't guarantee good performance." Adbullah added that the heirs of politicians are judged on by their families and not on their own merit.
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