Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan today said that Karnataka is the beginning of anti-BJP parties coming together, and this experiment should be replicated across the country.
"Congress is aware that it alone can not go ahead and take on the ruling party. Political parties with a common agenda need to come together," he said.
The former chief minister was speaking at a discussion organised by the association 'Friends of Democracy' here.
"I think what happened in Karnataka is the beginning of anti-BJP parties joining hands. We need to replicate it everywhere," Chavan said, referring to the Congress and JD(S) forming a post-poll alliance in the southern state.
Referring to the BJP's advertisements on the fourth anniversary of Narendra Modi government, Chavan said, "Did the BJP fulfil a single promise it advertised extensively? BJP's behaviour has been like a cancer, and it needs to be treated at the earliest."
State NCP chief Jayant Patil said, "Small parties need to keep their differences aside and come together.
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"If that happens, the party with a mere 30 per cent vote share will not come to power," he said, without naming the BJP.
"Some people also fear whether there will be any (more) elections if the BJP wins the 2019 general elections," Patil said.
Member of Parliament Raju Shetti said, "I am known for fighting for farmers' rights. Major opposition parties should introspect why someone like me joined the NDA in 2014 general elections."
Shetti, who fell out with the BJP later, added that he needs an assurance about protecting farmers' interests if he is expected to join an anti-BJP coalition.
Ajit Abhyankar, senior CPM leader, said, "We also need to analyse why the BJP is consistently winning. We need to expose it and focus on its flaws, holding agitations against its faulty policies.
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