Patna: After the conclusion of the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on Monday, RJD working president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav claimed the BJP would have no chance of winning elections if voting was conducted through ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines.
"If the election is held using the ballot papers, the ruling party would stand no chance of winning it," Tejashwi told reporters after the meeting, which was attended by leaders of 23 parties at the Constitution Club.
Against the backdrop of the BJP's recent electoral successes, including its victory over the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, Tejashwi advocated greater transparency in the electoral process. He said participants discussed at length alleged irregularities and malpractices in elections.
According to Tejashwi, the opposition alliance reached a consensus on five key issues and resolved to jointly take them before the public.
"All the participating parties were united on the five issues, and also decided to take them to the people with total unity," Tejashwi said.
Although the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) did not attend the meeting, Tejashwi said the party had conveyed its support for the INDIA bloc's campaign against the BJP. "The big takeaway from the meeting is that the INDIA bloc is a unified body. They decided on five issues for which committees would be set up to take them to people," Tejashwi added.
He further stated that one of the issues identified by the alliance was the demand for the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over paper leaks and other alleged irregularities.
The process of forging opposition unity and the eventual formation of the INDIA bloc had begun in Bihar in 2023. However, the alliance subsequently lost momentum and became largely inactive. In that context, Monday's meeting at the Constitution Club assumes significance, particularly at a time when dissatisfaction among students, youth and sections of the public is increasingly visible across the country.
"Concerns on several issues were expressed, and all agreed to remain united in focusing on the issues shortlisted at the meeting. We will raise the issues unitedly," Tejashwi concluded.
