Patna, June 2: Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, the national spokesperson for the Janata Dal United (JDU), has expressed concerns regarding the internal dynamics of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. He discussed the political climate, the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election,’ and actions against criminals in Uttar Pradesh.
During a recent interview, Prasad noted that the situation within the TMC, particularly concerning former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party leader Abhishek Banerjee, appears to be deteriorating. He claimed that the low attendance at a recent legislative party meeting indicates a significant loss of confidence among representatives in Banerjee’s leadership.
Prasad highlighted that the TMC has been facing continuous setbacks since the election results. A considerable number of municipal councilors have left the party, and several senior leaders are openly expressing dissatisfaction. He pointed out that key figures like Kakoli Ghosh have taken a public stance against Mamata Banerjee, with others like Shantanu Sen also posing challenges to party leadership. In his view, maintaining unity within the TMC has become Banerjee’s most significant challenge.
The JDU spokesperson remarked that many representatives remained with the TMC due to fear and political pressure for an extended period. However, following the change in power, there is now a visible restlessness among them to exit the party. He warned that this discontent could lead to a significant split within the TMC in the future.
Prasad also mentioned the widespread public anger against the allegations of oppression and mistreatment directed at TMC leaders during Banerjee’s long tenure. He stated that recent incidents of protests against TMC leaders should be seen as a natural response to this discontent.
He sharply criticized the attack on TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, noting that while police have arrested several suspects, the ongoing protests and unrest against TMC leaders across various regions are a matter for the party to reflect upon.
Supporting the central government’s initiative to conduct delimitation and hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections by 2029, Prasad described ‘One Nation, One Election’ as a significant and far-reaching decision. He emphasized that the Janata Dal (United) has consistently supported this concept.
He explained that holding elections at different times in various states necessitates repeated deployment of central security forces, which disrupts development plans and policy implementation due to the continuous enforcement of the model code of conduct. Conducting elections simultaneously across the country would save time, resources, and government expenditure while ensuring continuity in administrative functions.
Regarding the ongoing encounters with criminals in Uttar Pradesh and the questions raised by opposition parties, Prasad criticized the opposition’s stance. He noted that statements from leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and Abu Azmi suggest sympathy towards criminals, which he finds perplexing. He urged that making statements without studying the actions taken against criminals in Uttar Pradesh is inappropriate.
Prasad asserted that criminals do not belong to any caste or religion, and all should be treated equally under the law. He appealed to opposition parties to support strengthening the rule of law in Uttar Pradesh rather than viewing crime and law enforcement through the lens of caste and religion.
He concluded by praising Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath‘s significant efforts to enhance law and order in the state, urging the opposition to provide constructive cooperation instead of political opposition.
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