Jairam Ramesh accuses Amit Shah of luring Opposition leaders from TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) with 'mind-boggling' incentives. He alleges this is to compensate for humiliation over a failed Delimitation Bill and calls it an 'onslaught on democracy'.
Amid Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders' defection buzz, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of leading a campaign to weaken the Opposition and integrate them into the Bharatiya Janata Party. Jairam alleged that Shah is using "mind-boggling" incentives and enticements to lure members of the Opposition, many of whom were elected on strong anti-BJP platforms, to switch sides.
In an X post, he said that the alleged political manoeuvring is a direct attempt to "compensate for his humiliation" for when the Delimitation Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha. "The Union Home Minister is continuing his onslaught on the Opposition and his wrecking of Indian democracy to compensate for his humiliation in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026 when he failed to have the Delimitation Bills passed. His allurements are enticing a number of those who were elected just two years ago on a strong anti-BJP agenda to now join the BJP. The incentives reportedly being extended to them are mind-boggling," he said.
Defection Buzz in TMC, Shiv Sena (UBT)
The Congress leader's remarks come as TMC has been seeing dissension and rebellion among its MLAs and MPs after defeat in the assembly polls. 20 Lok Sabha MPs of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have decided to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and extended support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Maharashtra is also witnessing "Operation Tiger" buzz amid speculation that seven of the nine UBT MPs were in touch with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and looking to join the ruling party. Back in 2022, Shinde, along with several MLAs, broke away from Uddhav Thackeray, splitting the party into two.
'Cynical' Campaign Tactics
Jairam Ramesh claimed that tactics being used by the Home Minsiter are similar to those working in the "mutual funds industry," describing a "wholly cynical" and "well-lubricated" campaign that offers packages to suit the individual needs of those they wish to poach. "There are absolutely no limits to his depravity. But he will not succeed in his ultimate objective," he said.
Failed Delimitation Bills
Earlier in April, The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Parliament, linked to the women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, were defeated in Parliament. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)