A virtual anti-BJP front took shape in Chennai at DMK president M Karunanidhi's 94th birthday celebration on Saturday with the leaders of various Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Left, coming together and stressing on the need to take on the 'communal' BJP and the party-led NDA government at the Centre.
Akin to the anti-Congress coalition, National Front, floated in 1988 in Chennai, Karunanidhi's birthday celebration provided a platform for non-NDA parties to come together and strengthen the Opposition unity. "We will not allow the RSS or Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'impose one idea' on the country. We will never allow silencing of more than a billion voices. We will not be a mute witness to them imposing ridiculous ideas," said Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi addressing the public meeting held to commemorate Karunanidhi's birthday and diamond jubilee of his legislative career here.
Coming down heavily on Modi's style of functioning, the Congress leader said the sudden implementation of the demonetisation was one such example. "They believe that they have all the answers... They don't want to speak or listen to anybody," he said. He also described Karunanidhi as the voice of Tamil Nadu and hailed his contribution to the country. Earlier, Rahul visited the residence of DMK Working President MK Stalin, not Gopalapuram residence of Karunanidhi — usual centre of power in the Dravidian party, indicating shifting power dynamics.
The five-time CM of Tamil Nadu did not make any public appearance on Saturday due to health reasons. However, DMK posted a video of Karunanidhi cutting a cake on social media.
Stating that DMK always stood for the unity and diversity of the country, Stalin hit out at the Modi government and questioned its failure to fulfill its electoral promise including providing employment to two crore youths and bringing back black money stashed abroad. He accused the BJP of attempting to saffronise the country. "Don't force us to launch another freedom struggle. People are ready for it. They are asking whether we are ready," he said.
CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy called for the unity of secular, democratic and Left forces. Pointing to the growing interference of the government on what "we speak and write and even on the choice of food habits", he said the need of the hour is Opposition unity.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury insisted that the Opposition parties come together through people's struggle against the policies of the BJP government.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah expressed fear over the direction in which the country is progressing. "First they (BJP) want Congress-free India and now they want an Opposition-free India," he said.
As the sudden cancelling of Lalu Prasad Yadav's planned visit created rumours of cracks in the Opposition, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his ally and RJD supremo is down with fever. Last week, Kumar had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, a day after he skipped the luncheon meeting organised by Congress president Sonia Gandhi for Opposition leaders.
NCP treasurer Majeed Memon also dismissed media reports on lack of unity among the Opposition.
Analysis
That a galaxy of Opposition leaders descended on Chennai shows the parties’ keenness on forging an anti-BJP coalition.
The Congress is keen on such a coalition before the Presidential election, which could be extended to 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Chennai was earlier witness to forming of the National Front, but that was against the then ruling Congress govt.
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