Congress
opted for a cautious approach on Sunday, refraining from making any remarks on AAP national convenor and Delhi CM
Arvind Kejriwal
’s 10
guarantees
of
INDIA bloc
, which received endorsements from
allies
like
Shiv Sena
,
DMK
, TMC, and JMM.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said AAP’s guarantees are akin to the latter’s
manifesto
, much like Congress’s Nyay Patra.
He declined to comment on the process of arriving at a common agenda, saying: “This is a matter the national leadership will take a call going forward. As of now, we are focussing on the campaign as alliance partners.”
CPM Kerala secretary MV Govindan emphasised the bloc’s focus on defeating BJP and deferred further discussions on a common minimum programme until after Lok Sabha election results.
DMK highlighted the distinct priorities outlined in each party’s manifesto. “Most of the guarantees made by Kejriwal such as electricity and health are state subjects. They can be implemented only by states. Unlike BJP govt, if GST compensation is increased for states by future govts, states can implement their own welfare measures,” DMK spokesman TKS Elangovan said.
CPI general secretary D Raja viewed AAP’s guarantees as the latter’s manifesto, indicating that consultations with allies were unnecessary as each party has its own manifestos. “We too have our manifesto, in which we talk of issues ranging from livelihood, education, health…All INDIA bloc members will come together and draw a common minimum programme after we win and form govt,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey, while welcoming the 10 guarantees, said: “Kejriwal is fighting in Delhi and Punjab. So, these guarantees apply especially for those regions. But Kejriwal does what he says, these are all real guarantees. That is why BJP is scared of him and put him in jail. We are 100% with AAP…the entire INDIA bloc is with him. We fully support him on issues like full statehood for Delhi.”
According to Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, the consensus among the people of India is clear: Modi’s guarantees have proven ineffective.
JMM in Jharkhand supported the Delhi CM’s guarantees. Party general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said: “We are of the same view of Kejriwal’s assurances. However, all these promises have been made by Congress in its election manifesto.”
Lalu Prasad’s RJD declared that most of AAP’s “10 commitments” are already a part of their manifestos. “It’s the duty of every govt to free Indian land from Chinese control. For example, Amit Shah too is talking about taking back PoK,” RJD vice president Shivanand Tiwari said.
