Opposition Unity: Kejriwal Adamant Cong Should Support AAP On Delhi Ordinance; What Is TMC & National Conference’s Stance?

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are at loggerheads amid an exercise of opposition unity against the BJP. The issue is the ordinance brought by the Modi government regarding Delhi. 

The AAP has bluntly said that it will not join any alliance or meeting with the Congress until it gives assurance of voting in Parliament against the ordinance. To express its displeasure, AAP boycotted the joint press briefing after the meeting of opposition parties in Patna on Friday. 

Cong’s stance also tough

On the other hand, the stance of the Congress is also tough. It has also given a terse reply that don't make us agree at gunpoint.

TMC and National Conference support Cong

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary KC Venugopal have also got the support of TMC and National Conference on this issue. Both the parties have questioned Arvind Kejriwal's efforts to make the Delhi ordinance issue the main point at the Patna meeting.

The Congress has also expressed strong objection to the language of the statement issued by the Aam Aadmi Party. Kharge termed AAP's statement as 'provocative'. At the same time, Congress General Secretary Venugopal said, 'You cannot ask us to take a decision at the gunpoint.'

The Congress president Kharge said that the opposition parties discuss parliamentary issues when the session is in progress. Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party also attend meetings convened to decide the strategy of the opposition in Parliament. Kharge expressed surprise over Kejriwal's insistence on clearing the Congress' stand on the ordinance.

Kejriwal supported Modi govt on Kashmir bifurcation: Omar Abdullah

On the other hand, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also reminded Kejriwal of August 2019 when he supported the Modi government on the issue of bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi is also raising the same question but he was not a part of the opposition meeting held in Patna. But Abdullah attended this meeting.

TMC supremo Mamta Banerjee has also raised questions on Arvind Kejriwal. She asked why Kejriwal was imposing the Delhi issue when the agenda of the meeting was already known to everyone.