Kozhikode, 14 Jan: The BJP is projected to emerge as the single-largest party in the next Lok Sabha elections, but its tally might be reduced to the point that potential allies are unwilling to support it in favour of the opposition coalition, according to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
When discussing the opposition group INDI Alliance, he stated that India is a varied country and that he is completely willing to live with the circumstance in which they do not have “100 percent agreement in 100 percent of the states”.
On Saturday, he spoke at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), which is now underway. “I still believe the BJP will emerge as the single largest party. However, I believe their numbers can be cut down. Brought down to the point that their prospective partners, who are necessary to establish government, may no longer be willing to associate with them and may be willing to align with us. So we have to give it a go,” remarked the former union minister at the session ‘India: The Future is Now’.
The diplomat-turned-politician also discussed the problems of seat-sharing among parties in the opposition group, which may include up to 28 members, and stated that he just wants to get adequate agreements in as many states as possible to avoid needless defeats.
While one state might see consensus among all opposition parties and have one united candidate against the BJP, another state may have two or three candidates, in which case “voters must pick the person they feel would best,” he added.
