'Friendship in Delhi, wrestling in states': Shivraj Singh Chouhan slams INDIA alliance
“Neither their views are similar nor their hearts are at the same place. It is falling apart because of the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday made fun of the INDIA alliance over three of its members fielding candidates against one another in Assembly elections in the state.
“We have been saying from day one that this is a 'bemail gathbandhan (out of sync coalition). It is like friendship in Delhi (Centre) and wrestling in states,” the BJP leader said in a statement.
“Neither their views are similar nor their hearts are at the same place. It is falling apart because of the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.
INDIA members Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have separately announced candidates for the November 17 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.
Upset with the Congress for not conceding any seat to his Samajwadi Party in Madhya Pradesh, its chief Akhilesh Yadav hinted that the Congress could get the same treatment from the SP in Uttar Pradesh.
Akhilesh’s anger
And in stinging remarks, Yadav said the Congress leadership should not allow its "small leaders" to comment on his party.
The SP and AAP have announced candidates on multiple seats in the BJP-ruled state, which will elect a 230-member House.
Chouhan dubbed the INDIA alliance an incoherent coalition and 'ghamandia' (arrogant).
He said Akhilesh Yadav had said the Congress kept him in the dark for a year and later "ditched" his party over allocation of seats.
Chouhan wondered what kind of a grouping INDIA was since the Congress, SP and AAP were fighting against each other in the state.
"People are surprised with their behaviour. When they (INDIA constituents) are fighting against each other in states, what will be the future of the country if they get to rule at the Centre?" he asked.
On Thursday, Akhilesh Yadav said his party leaders would not have answered calls from the Congress for a meeting in Madhya Pradesh had he known that the INDIA bloc was confined only at the national level.
In the 2018 Assembly elections, the SP won the Bijawar seat in the Bundelkhand region and finished second in five places. It won 1.3 per cent votes in alliance with the tribal Gondwana Gantantra Party.
(With agency inputs)
