Lok Sabha Polls 2024: With the general elections looming, Congress MP and Lok Sabha candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, hinted at who could potentially serve as an alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the opposition INDIA bloc assumes power.
There has been no clear revelation about who could be the face of the Prime Minister from the opposition side, a point the BJP has repeatedly challenged them about.
Tharoor stated that the question is irrelevant in the parliamentary system, emphasizing that the focus should be on electing a party or coalition that upholds principles and convictions crucial for preserving India’s diversity, pluralism, and inclusivity.
“Yet again a journalist has asked me to identify an individual who is the alternative to Mr. Modi. The question is irrelevant in the Parliamentary system. We are not electing an individual (as in a presidential system), but a party, or coalition of parties, that represents a set of principles and convictions that are invaluable to preserve India’s diversity, pluralism, and inclusive growth,” Tharoor shared on X (formerly Twitter).
So, who does Tharoor believe could be the alternative to Narendra Modi as Prime Minister? While he refrained from naming anyone, Tharoor suggested that the alternative to Modi is a collective of experienced, capable, and diverse leaders who prioritize people’s concerns over individual ego.
He emphasized that the specific person chosen as Prime Minister is of secondary importance compared to safeguarding democracy and diversity.
“The alternative to Mr. Modi is a group of experienced, capable, and diverse Indian leaders who will be responsive to people’s problems and not driven by individual ego. Which specific person they will choose to be Prime Minister is a secondary consideration. Protecting our democracy and diversity comes first,” Tharoor explained.
Tharoor is not the only Congress leader to downplay the importance of a Prime Ministerial face in Lok Sabha elections. Last month, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remarked that elections are not “beauty contests” in India, where the focus is on parties, ideologies, symbols, and campaigns.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders remain confident of securing a third term with a significant majority. The Prime Minister has coined the slogan ‘Abki baar, 400 paar’ (This time, over 400) for the NDA alliance to win more than 400 seats, with 370 earmarked for the BJP.
Despite recent controversies, Modi’s popularity has surged due to initiatives like the construction of the Ram Temple, abrogation of Article 370, and banning of triple talaq.
