On Tuesday, Arvind Kejriwal, the National Convenor of AAP, and Mamata Banerjee, the Chief of TMC, put forward the name of Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of Congress, as the potential prime ministerial candidate for the opposition INDIA bloc in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, BJP leader Giriraj Singh expressed his opinion that this proposal was a strategic move to sideline Rahul Gandhi from the race.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh asserted on Tuesday that Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal's endorsement of Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial candidate for the opposition INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was a deliberate maneuver to exclude Rahul Gandhi from contention.
Following a meeting in Delhi, Banerjee and Kejriwal suggested Kharge's name, emphasizing the potential for him to become the country's "first Dalit prime minister." However, no conclusive decision has been reached on this matter.
Various leaders, including Vaiko from the MDMK, confirmed this development after the opposition bloc meeting. According to reports, Kharge stated during the discussions that winning elections and strengthening the alliance should take precedence, leaving other decisions for a later time.
Singh commented on the situation, stating, "Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee know that Khargeji won't be the prime ministerial candidate when Rahul Gandhi is there. Both of them have laid a chakravyuh (trap) to oust Rahul Gandhi (from the race). They have taken both of them (Kharge and Gandhi) in their trap."
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale criticized the opposition INDIA bloc's meeting, claiming that it was convened to hinder the progress of the country. According to Athawale, all constituents of the INDIA bloc have joined forces with the sole purpose of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, Athawale acknowledged that defeating Modi would not be an easy task and emphasized Modi's strength and contributions to the nation. He also cited the BJP's recent victories in three states and increased vote share in the Telangana assembly polls as indicators of popular support for the BJP.
