Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi Said This About RLD
When asked about the impending departure of Jayant Chaudhary-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)”s departure from Opposition INDIA alliance, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi said “Whoever wants to leave, should leave.”
He was responding to questions from the media on RLD joining the BJP-led NDA.
“Whoever wants to leave, should leave. This is going to be a long battle. We will not bow down (in front of anyone) as we are soldiers of Rahul Gandhi,” Mr Pratapgarhi told the reporters, as heard in a video posted by news agency PTI.
Right after former Prime Minister of India Chaudhary Charan Singh was conferred Bharat Ratna, India”s highest civilian award, the political circles in the country is abuzz with the rumour that his grandson and RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary will take the plunge of joining BJP-led NDA before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Is Jayant Chaudhary joining NDA?
There is a chronology to the nature of Jayant Chaudhary’s intentions, barring the rumours, on joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi led alliance. It is before and after the announcement of Bharat Ratna to his grandfather.
Before the announcement of Bharat Ratna, Jayant was almost silent on the prospects of an alliance with NDA. It was all rumour at that point of time, with Delhi-based journalists posting rumours on their timelines.
Once the Bharat Ratna was announced, Jayant has started making such comments those gave the hints of his clear intentions. Though, the Jat leader and Rajya Saba MP who was elected to the upper house of the Parliament with the support of Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party has not declared his full allegiance to the NDA alliance and Prime Minister Modi, he has been showering praise on BJP and PM Modi since the Bharat Ratna announcement.
When asked about the possible alliance, he said this: “How can I refuse the offer now? Modi Ji”s vision did what any other party could not do, till now. I would like to once again express my gratitude to PM Modi”s govt for encouraging the people who aren”t part of the mainstream…”
When he was given chance in the Rajya Sabha to speak about the Bharat Ratna, he, again, was in in full praise for BJP and PM Modi:
“I have been in the Opposition for 10 years, I am sitting on this side of this house for some time, the working style of the present government also has a glimpse of the thoughts of Chaudhary Charan Singh.
“I believe that PM Modi and GoI have given Bharat Ratna to Choudhary Charan Singh, it accomplishes two big things, one is that we re-institutionalise the legacy of Choudhary Charan Singh…I believe that this is not just an award, it is the biggest honour…A grassroots government, which understands the voice of the land and wants to elevate it, only such a government can give Bharat Ratna to the son of the soil, Chaudhary Charan Singh…”.
Lastly, amid the talks Jayant Chaudhary said, “If you compare a small election of 2024 with the great legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh, you are belittling him and insulting his supporters. It is an insult to an honour like Bharat Ratna.”
