VP election: Uphill task for opposition in contest, bloc may field 'ideological' face
Ahead of discussions on picking a candidate, it is felt that since winnability is an uphill task due to opposition's weaker numerical strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, INDIA bloc should use the vice-president (VP) contest to send out an unambiguous signal to its core constituencies of marginalised sections, including backwards and minorities, farmers, and intellectuals and the civil society.
INDIA bloc is scheduled to meet Thursday (Aug 7), where Bihar assembly election is likely to be an issue as also the special intensive revision of the state's electoral rolls.
The meeting, sources said, may also initiate a preliminary discussion on the likely candidate for the VP polls.
Unity on consensus candidate will be challenge for the opposition camp
At the meet, Rahul Gandhi may give a presentation on
Congress
's "research" on voters' lists which he has said proves beyond doubt that the rolls are being tampered with to help BJP.
The VP election has come prematurely after the controversial resignation by Jagdeep Dhankhar last month following an alleged confrontation with the govt over his decision to accept the notices to remove Justices Shekhar Yadav and Yashwant Varma.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute
Navy Quest
Undo
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Saturday alleged that Dhankhar was biased against the opposition, but he took one independent decision and it led to his downfall, as he accused the Modi govt of pressuring constitutional authorities.
The opposition has been accusing the governing BJP of attacking constitutional values, secularism, fair elections, marginalised sections, besides weakening the economy and endangering the future of the youth.
Some feel that an ideal VP candidate from the opposition camp should be able to represent these issues and send out a strong message.
Such a move by the opposition, insiders argue, will hammer home the ideological distinction between BJP and the opposition parties, and help rally the base as the latter looks to build upon its gains in the 2024 LS polls.
However, ensuring unity with a consensus candidate will also be a challenge for the opposition camp, where many partners compete against each other and are antagonistic.
In the first vice presidential election held after BJP assumed office in 2014, Congress and opposition had fielded Mahatma Gandhi's grandson and known intellectual Gopal Krishna Gandhi to take on BJP's M Venkaiah Naidu in 2017. However, when the opposition witnessed fissures in its ranks in 2022, there was a paucity of candidates and Congress was forced to field a party leader in Margaret Alva to take on BJP candidate Dhankhar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana MC: Oppn joins BJP's protest against mayor on Day 5
The ongoing protest by BJP councillors and leaders at municipal corporation Zone D witnessed extensive support from opposition parties as the demonstration enters the fifth day on Tuesday. The demonstrators are demanding that mayor Inderjit Kaur take immediate steps to resume stalled development works in city wards, claiming public services are being severely affected. Senior BJP leader Shwait Malik along with local leaders staged a protest at MC Zone D office against the mayor in Ludhiana on Tuesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) Criticism from SAD leadership Former Akali Dal MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon also weighed in, taking a dig at both the mayor and councillors over the ongoing standoff. 'It takes patience and coordination to represent thousands. The cancellation of the F&CC meeting recently shows a lack of seriousness toward Ludhiana's issues,' he said. Dhillon highlighted the city's worsening condition including poor sewage systems, broken roads, unclean surroundings, and water quality concerns. He criticised the ongoing political blame game, saying it was unclear whether it would yield any results for the city. Drawing comparisons, Dhillon praised former SAD mayors Apinder Singh Grewal, Hakam Singh Giaspura, and Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, under whose leadership Ludhiana reportedly achieved 100% sewerage coverage, extensive road and lighting development, mass hiring of sanitation workers, and the construction of elevated roads and fogging systems. He alleged that the present administration had failed even to maintain that progress. Congress backs BJP's stand In a surprising political turn, Congress councillor Gaurav Bhatti, along with several former councillors, joined the protest on Tuesday. Bhatti raised concerns over the recent transfer of a sanitation worker, who he claimed was targeted despite being dedicated to his duties. He warned that if the transfer orders were not revoked immediately, Congress councillors would be forced to launch a parallel protest outside the MC Zone B office. Bhatti further demanded that the Municipal Corporation pass a resolution to ensure councillors are consulted before any sanitation worker is transferred from their ward. BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman reaffirmed that the protest is not politically driven but focused on genuine public issues. 'We are fighting for the people. The mayor must come and resolve this matter,' he said. The protest also saw the arrival of former state BJP president and ex-Amritsar mayor Shwait Malik, who criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. 'The people who were rejected in Delhi are now governing Punjab like dictators,' he said. Malik added that councillors from all parties have the right to demand development in their wards, and accused the government of trying to 'break the morale' of BJP leaders by lodging FIRs against them. 'But BJP is not a party that bows to pressure,' he asserted. Dy mayor attempts mediation Later in the evening, deputy mayor Prince Johar visited the protest site and appealed for resolution through communication. He offered juice to the protesters as a gesture of goodwill and listened to their concerns. BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman briefed Johar on the issue and reiterated the party's willingness to engage in talks but only directly with the mayor. The deputy mayor requested a day's time to speak with the mayor and work toward a resolution. Protest a political stunt: Mayor Mayor Inderjit Kaur dismissed the protest as a political stunt, stating that the BJP leaders were intentionally creating a scene. She reiterated that her office is open for dialogue and claimed she has never refused to resolve any councillor's genuine concerns. 'If senior leadership is visiting Ludhiana, they should carefully consider what is right and wrong,' she said. Box The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday held protests in eight different wards of the city, raising various civic issues including poor sanitation, damaged roads, and lack of basic amenities. Party councillors and local workers led the demonstrations in their respective areas. They alleged that the city's infrastructure was in shambles despite claims of development under the Smart City project. Councillor Rohit Sikka from Ward No. 66 took part in the protest near his residence, where heaps of garbage were reportedly lying unattended for days. Sikka, along with around 100 volunteers and his family members, cleaned the area themselves before launching the protest. He said that such protests would be held in other wards too to bring attention to similar issues. District BJP president Rajnesh Dhiman, who addressed the protestors, said the party would organise demonstrations in different wards every day. 'People deserve to know what actual development has taken place in the last three-and-a-half years under the Smart City mission. AAP's promises have turned out to be hollow. The ground reality shows broken roads and poor civic conditions despite citizens paying crores in taxes,' he said. Several councillors and BJP workers from the respective wards participated in the protests and pledged to continue raising public issues across the city in the coming days.
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Informed Home Minister, still waiting for a response, says Tamil Nadu MP on chain snatching in Delhi
Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, Sudha Ramakrishnan, on Tuesday wondered about the fate of the common women in Delhi if the Union Home Ministry did not even take notice of an MP falling prey to snatchers in the Capital. Maintaining that she has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ramakrishnan told The Indian Express, 'The Home Minister was informed about the snatching but he hasn't reacted even once. The Delhi Police is under the Home Ministry, not the state government. I am his (Home Minister) colleague and there is still no response.' 'I didn't see a single policeman or patrol car that day. The police are saying they have increased security for Independence Day, where is it? If the government is not reacting when it comes to a colleague who is an MP, I don't know what common women go through,' she added. On Monday morning, a scooter-borne man had snatched her gold necklace while she was on a morning walk in Chanakyapuri with MP Rajathi Salma. The Mayiladuthurai MP was staying at Tamil Nadu House to attend the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament. Alleging that 'Delhi is simply not safe', Ramakrishnan said, 'This is irrespective of MPs, women or children; it's not safe for anyone.' She added, 'I was too traumatised to go for my daily walk today… My clothes were torn in the incident. I had to return to the guest house in that state.' '…We saw a police patrol car around two minutes after we returned. I told one of the police officers what had happened. I thought they would alert the traffic police or someone, but they just took my phone number and took me to the police station,' said Ramakrishnan, adding that she expected the police to give the snatcher a chase since it had not been very long since the incident. Ramakrishnan said that she was grateful that her influence as a member of the Parliament got her speedy access to the police and higher authorities. 'Everyone says crime is common in Delhi. They tell women not to go out after dark, they say 'keep your phone carefully, don't wear heavy jewellery'. Is this supposed to be the image of the Capital?'
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Suvendu's convoy attacked in Cooch Behar: ‘TMC murder plan'
The convoy of Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, was allegedly attacked by some people in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal on Tuesday afternoon. Glasses of the bulletproof vehicle in which Adhikari and former Union minister Nisith Pramanik were seated were smashed, it was alleged. Also, the windowpanes of at least one police escort vehicle were shattered, it is learnt. The BJP alleged that the purported attack, which took place in the Khagrabari area of the district, was carried out by Trinamool Congress workers. The TMC, on the other hand, dubbed the incident a 'well-scripted drama'. Adhikari was travelling to meet the superintendent of police (SP) over alleged oppression of party workers in the district, after securing an order from the Calcutta High Court. He was also scheduled to hold a party meeting in the district. The TMC organised protests at 19 spots along the route of the convoy in Cooch Behar against the possibility of NRC implementation in West Bengal, harassment of migrant labourers and disrespect to Bengali language. Chanting 'Joy Bangla' and 'go back' slogans, the party workers showed block flags to the convoy. Later, stones were allegedly pelted at the convoy and cars were attacked with bamboo sticks. Speaking to mediapersons after the incident, Adhikari alleged, 'The TMC under the leadership of Udayan Guha (Dinhata MLA and North Bengal Development Minister) carried out the attack in the presence of police. They smashed the glass of a bulletproof car with stones. I was in a bulletproof car which saved me. The TMC gathered Rohingyas who had infiltrated this region and made them carry out the attack.' 'They tried to smash the car in which I was moving with rods and sticks and, after they failed, shattered the bulletproof glasses with heavy stones,' he added. Stating that he was alive because of the bulletproof vehicle, the BJP leader said he would go against the SP for the law and order breakdown with the full force of the law. 'I had taken necessary steps of informing the police and the administration before coming here, since this programme has the sanction of the High Court, and because I had a hunch that something like this could happen. Now the SP will face the music,' he added. Lok Sabha MP and former state BJP chief Sukanta Majumder said, 'This is unacceptable. TMC goons attacked the convoy of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. This could not have happened without the approval of the TMC top brass. Our state president has asked us to protest across Bengal and we will do it.' Former Lok Sabha MP and Union minister of state Nisith Paramanik, who was part of the convoy, said, 'It was a pre-planned attack. We asked our security personnel to stay calm. They even broke the glasses of bulletproof cars. The TMC is really desperate.' He further said Guha was present at a local religious institution and instructed the mob to carry out the attack. 'It was an attempt on our lives,' he claimed. Countering the BJP's allegations, TMC's Cooch Behar district president Partha Pratim Roy said, 'Today, people of Bengal and TMC workers showed black flags and protested against the BJP. Our workers staged a peaceful demonstration. No one was involved in violence. The BJP staged the incident to get sympathy.' 'The BJP orchestrated this violence on their own to settle internal scores and grab media footage,' he said. TMC minister Udayan Guha said, 'Our workers and people protested against the BJP's proposal to bring in NRC in Bengal. Whoever is trying to insult Bengali language, harass our workers in other states will face the wrath of the people.' — with PTI Inputs
