Those who do not want to fight govt may not come to Opposition meet: Congress on TMC

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 28

The Congress on Sunday put up a brave face in the wake of TMC’s decision to skip the opposition meeting called by veteran Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday morning to discuss the parliament session strategy and said those who don’t wish to fight the government may not come for the meeting.

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Kharge has sent our invitations to all non-BJP parties to attend the meeting at his chamber on Monday morning, but the TMC has said it will not attend.

“We spoke to TMC leader Derek O Brien and he said they would be busy with the party’s working committee meeting tomorrow. NCP chief Sharad Pawar may also not come as he has to attend the wedding of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s daughter,” Kharge said.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha and party’s West Bengal chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury meanwhile said there is a tradition that the leader of opposition calls everyone for the meeting.

“Anyone who wishes to come can come and if one does not want it is their wish. There is no compulsion. It is a tradition of Parliament and the Congress goes by tradition.

It is our duty to call the opposition parties to discuss the issues before Parliament, but if someone feels that by joining hands with us they would be seen as opposing the government, they need not do so. Those who do not want to fight the government, they may not come,” Adhir said.

With the TMC deciding to stay away from opposition meet tomorrow the winter session is starting on a dissonant note for the unity of non-BJP parties.

The TMC has of late poached several top Congress leaders, including former Goa CM Luizinho Faleiro, former Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev, former Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and former Delhi Congress leader Kirti Azad.