Congress MP P. Chidambaram shared his views about Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha. , File photo | Photo Credit: PTI
Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Sunday said that his party’s leaders Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi The Lok Sabha will strengthen the Congress party, which will help its prospects in the general elections next year.
Describing the political scene as an “undeclared emergency”, Mr Chidambaram said in an exclusive email interview that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made the Congress its “prime target” to manage regional parties more easily. To wish for its eradication.
However, he insisted that the Congress would not be “wiped out” and regional parties would “rise and fight” the BJP.
Excerpts:
Why: In the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha after a Court decision in defamation caseHow do you read the political landscape of the country?
A: The country is already in a state of emergency. This is an undeclared emergency. One of the complaints during the Emergency was that the freedom of the press had been taken away. Is it different today? Journalist and media freedom are today subject to many constraints. The main target of the BJP is the Congress party. They feel that if they are able to eliminate the Congress party from the electoral battleground, then regional or state-specific parties will be easy targets. They are wrong on both counts. The Congress party cannot be abolished. Regional or state-specific parties will rise and fight.
Why: Do you think Rahul Gandhi phenomenon will help Congress in 2024 elections?
A: The developments of the last few days have added more steel to the Congress party. We know that we are fighting a formidable Leviathan. Fighting the BJP, unity of purpose, struggle, sacrifice etc will definitely strengthen the Congress party. A strong Congress will certainly be a major force in the (2024) elections.
Why: As a senior Congress leader, what would be your advice to Rahul Gandhi at this juncture?
A: He (Rahul Gandhi) does not need my advice and I do not give him advice. He is brave and fearless. In the Join India tour, he demonstrated his grit and determination – qualities that many were happy to find in Mr. Gandhi.
Why: While the Trinamool Congress has described Mr Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha as “a new low for constitutional democracy”, it has also said earlier that the Congress “should not consider itself the Big Boss of the opposition front and should be given due respect”. for regional parties”. What is your opinion on this?
A: Broadly speaking, I agree with that view. As far as I know, the Congress leadership does not think differently. We feel that opposition unity can be achieved and maintained only through a common understanding of the current political situation, common goals and mutual respect. No one in Congress has suggested that Congress should be the Big Boss. The way Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh led the UPA (coalition and government) with extraordinary grace and intelligence – and successfully so – is testimony to the fact that no one in the Congress has any sense of superiority.
Why: How important will the role of regional parties be in next year’s elections?
A: Regional parties are an integral part of our federal structure. In fact, the presence and success of several regional parties has underlined that the Indian political structure is essentially federal. I am sure that regional parties will play an important role in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.