Amid rumblings in the Opposition INDIA bloc, its leaders stressed on the need to defeat the ruling BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls, with DMK chanting the unity mantra to achieve the goal.
Top leaders of some of the INDIA bloc constituents–Congress, DMK, the Left parties, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi attended a “Democracy will win” conference organised by the VCK here on Friday.
VCK, headed by Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan, is a key ally of the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, leaders of the CPI (M) and the CPI, Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, respectively and many others spoke at the well-attended conference which came amidst the ruling Mahagathbandhan in Bihar appearing to be on tenterhooks with strong indications that JD(U) president and that state CM Nitish Kumar may do yet another volte-face and return to the BJP-led NDA. JD(U), Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD, Congress and Left parties are the constituents of the ruling coalition in Bihar.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge underlined Dr Ambedkar’s warning against ‘the cult of personality’ and appealed for a political culture based on ‘reason and dialogue.’
Kharge’s address to the conference was read out by his party’s Lok Sabha MP Su Thirunavukkarasar after the VCK announced the Congress chief could not take part in the meet.
Kharge was quoted as saying that Ambedkar foresaw the dangers of blind devotion; be it in politics or religion. The architect of the Constitution warned against the cult of personality and emphasised on the need for “rational thinking and a commitment to justice in our political discourse.”