INDIA Bloc's Success in By-Polls Signals Shift in Public Mood Against BJP, Says P Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram expresses confidence in the INDIA bloc following their success in recent by-polls across seven states, indicating a public shift against the BJP. The bloc secured 10 out of 13 seats, with Chidambaram noting the need to strengthen Congress's structure in weaker states.

Following the emphatic performance by the INDIA bloc in the recently concluded by-polls across seven states, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram voiced confidence on Sunday, stating that the 'wind is behind the sails of the INDIA bloc.' Speaking to ANI, Chidambaram highlighted that the by-elections reflect a growing public sentiment against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

'The by-elections show that the mood of the people is against the BJP. However, in states where the Congress party's structure is weak, the 'mood' alone will not suffice. We must reinforce our party structure in these areas,' he said. 'By and large, the INDIA bloc is gaining momentum,' he added.

In the by-polls held across 13 assembly constituencies in seven states, the INDIA bloc secured victories in 10 seats. The BJP won two seats, and an independent candidate claimed one. The assembly by-polls were held in Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh.

The INDIA bloc, comprising the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), fielded candidates in all 13 constituencies. Congress took two seats in Himachal Pradesh, while the BJP won one. TMC swept all four seats in West Bengal, Congress won both seats in Uttarakhand, AAP secured one in Punjab, and DMK claimed one in Tamil Nadu. The BJP and an independent candidate each won one seat in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.

Addressing the central government's recent announcement to observe 'Savidhan Hatya Diwas' on June 25, marking the anniversary of the 1975 emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Chidambaram questioned the relevance of the commemoration. 'Why is the BJP not going back to the 18th or 17th century? Seventy-five percent of Indians today were born after 1975. Emergency was a mistake, acknowledged by Indira Gandhi. The Constitution has been amended to prevent such an event from occurring again,' he remarked.

Chidambaram emphasized that debating the emergency's historical impact 50 years later serves no purpose, urging the BJP to move forward. 'What is the point of debating the emergency's rights and wrongs after 50 years? The BJP must forget the past. Lessons have been learned from history,' he stated.

Earlier this month, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government announced plans to observe 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas,' triggering opposition backlash against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. The 1975 emergency remains a significant and controversial period in India's history, marked by political unrest and suppression of civil liberties.