New Delhi: During its national council meeting on December 29, the Janata Dal (United) issued a robust political resolution, openly criticizing the BJP. This comes amid widespread speculation about the party contemplating a return to the BJP-led NDA fold ahead of the 2024 general elections. The resolution specifically accused the BJP of employing the narrative of Sanatan Dharma as a diversionary tactic while simultaneously “undermining the rights of backward communities, Dalits, Adivasis, and minority groups.”
During the meeting, four resolutions were passed, with one applauding the JD(U) for its leadership on the caste census issue and another empowering the new party president, Nitish Kumar, to engage in negotiations with allies within the Opposition INDIA bloc.
The political resolution, spanning three pages, predominantly focused on criticizing the BJP. It asserted that the Union government, led by the BJP, is progressively moving towards establishing fascism. The resolution further contended that the BJP is actively working to weaken constitutional institutions and the federal structure of the country. It accused the government of turning a blind eye to the people’s problems while using “false slogans” as a distraction.
हमने स्वीकार कर लिया है, हम पुन: राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष के पद को स्वीकार कर चुके हैं: आधिकारिक तौर पर जेडीयू के अध्यक्ष पद पर आसीन होने के बाद मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार की पहली प्रतिक्रिया, सुनिए।#JDUMeeting #NitishKumar #LalanSingh #KCTyagi #BiharTakBits pic.twitter.com/tAn2X0ANgv
— Bihar Tak (@BiharTakChannel) December 29, 2023
The resolution asserted that the BJP, in response to the Opposition’s accusations of endangering the Constitution, is attempting to counter these claims with its Sanatana Dharma narrative. However, the JD(U) emphasized in the resolution that it also respects Sanatana culture, values, traditions, and principles. It pointed out that the BJP tends to invoke Sanatana Dharma only when issues related to the government undermining the Constitutional rights of backward communities, Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities are raised. Taking a more critical stance, the resolution alleged that, under the guise of Sanatana Dharma, the BJP is actually seeking to impose Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text that establishes a caste-based social order.
In an attempt to dispel conspiracy theories suggesting that Nitish Kumar’s elevation to the party president’s position is a prelude to the JD(U)’s return to the NDA fold, the resolution credited Kumar with taking the initiative to unite opposition parties. It highlighted the inaugural meeting of the INDIA bloc in Patna on June 23 as the commencement of the campaign to oust the BJP from power at the Centre.
The resolution countered BJP’s purported anxiety over Nitish Kumar’s leadership within the INDIA bloc, stating that Kumar has explicitly stated he has no aspirations to become the Prime Minister or the convenor of the INDIA bloc. His primary focus is uniting the anti-BJP opposition, the resolution emphasized.
Furthermore, the resolution cautioned the “bigger parties” under the INDIA umbrella to be magnanimous. While not explicitly naming any party, it emphasized that the success of the opposition bloc hinges on the larger parties demonstrating generosity. It stressed the importance of assigning responsibilities based on experience and capability for the effective functioning of the opposition coalition.