In an interview with PTI, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal called for a strong opposition coalition to take on the BJP in the 2024 general elections. Sibal emphasized the need for all opposition parties to be mindful of sensitivities and avoid criticizing each other’s ideologies in order to build a strong alliance. He suggested that the Congress should be at the center of any coalition of opposition parties. However, he also noted that the leadership question need not be answered at this stage and cited the example of the 2004 elections when the incumbent government was voted out despite the opposition not having a declared face.
Sibal acknowledged that differences among political parties can arise when issues are narrowed down. He gave the example of parties having different points of view on a particular legislation. He suggested that broad collaborative platforms on issues such as crony capitalism could help to ensure that the opposition is united. Sibal recently launched a non-electoral platform called ‘Insaaf’ aimed at fighting injustice. He believes that opposition unity will come about only when there is a broad consensus and a platform that elucidates broad issues of that consensus.
Sibal also discussed the practicality of opposition parties of diverse backgrounds coming together and ceding parliamentary seats to each other to take on the BJP jointly in 2024. He suggested that parties have to be more generous, more circumspect in criticizing each other’s ideologies, and have to realize that wherever they are weak, they should allow the dominant partner to have a say.
Sibal rebutted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charge that the opposition is coming together as they are afraid of his government’s anti-corruption crusade. He asked why the Centre did not appoint a Lokpal for five years after coming to power if it was so concerned about graft. He also questioned why the Lokpal has been inactive and not investigated anybody in government.
