Post-poll tieup possible, Oppn united against Modi: Rahul

New Delhi: The Opposition parties’ “job number 1” is to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said, expressing confidence that a post-poll alliance is “absolutely” possible after the Lok Sabha elections as all parties are united in defeating the BJP.

Mr Gandhi said secular formations are in place in various states and that the BJP will be facing “strong” Opposition candidates all over the country.

“For the entire Opposition, the job number one is to defeat Mr Narendra Modi and save democracy and the Constitution. To stop the BJP from destroying India’s institutions and its social fabric. To stimulate growth, propel economy, create jobs, ensure harmony and address injustice and inequality. In this, we are all united,” Mr Gandhi told PTI in an interview.

On whether he foresees a poll outcome which will allow space for a post-poll alliance of Opposition parties, the Congress chief said, “Yes, absolutely. It is the people of India who are standing up to counter Mr Modi.”

Asked about differences within the Opposition ranks, with some even blaming the Congress for not putting up a united fight, Mr Gandhi said secular forces are together in various states to defeat the BJP.

“There is an understanding among all Opposition parties that the BJP has to be defeated in the interest of the country. The BJP is attacking and destroying our institutions. It has played havoc with our economy. It has hurt India. It has to be fought in nation’s interest,” he said.

About the Opposition not coming together the way it was envisaged some months ago, he said, “Across India, the Opposition is putting up strong candidates to take on the BJP.”

He cited the example of West Bengal and said a secular formation is going to win there.

“In UP, there is an alliance. Congress is not part of that alliance but there is an alliance. In Maharashtra, there is an alliance. In Jharkhand, there is an alliance. In Jammu and Kashmir, there is an alliance. In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, there is an alliance. Where isn’t there an alliance?” he asked.

He said some parties in UP chose not to have the Congress as part of the alliance they formed. “It’s okay. The Congress will build its ideology and roots in UP. We will fight our battle. Entire nation is united against the BJP,” he said.

The Congress has been left out by the Samajwadi Party(SP)-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance in UP and it has failed to forge an alliance with the Left in West Bengal and with the ruling AAP in Delhi.

The decision of the party to field Mr Gandhi from Wayanad in Kerala has also hurt the CPI-M, which is peeved by the action and has claimed that it will use all its force to defeat him.

The Congress chief’s recent outbursts against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also did not bode well for the Opposition unity as it evoked an angry reaction from the TMC chief who said “he is just a kid”.

The AAP has also accused the Congress and Mr Gandhi of being “arrogant” and blamed them for not forging an alliance in Delhi.