Exclusive | Oppn Will Unite to Wipe out BJP in 2019: Sharad Yadav

Sanjay Pugalia (right) in conversation with Sharad Yadav (left).

(Photo: The Quint)

Exuding confidence in the formation of a “grand alliance of Opposition parties” against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019, Former Janata Dal (United) MP Sharad Yadav said the upcoming elections will overthrow the ruling party.

In an exclusive interview with The Quint’s editorial director Sanjay Pugalia, Sharad Yadav said he is confident that the Opposition parties will unite against the “communal” ruling party, although they might take a little time.

Certainly Modi ji and BJP will not win 2019. The picture that I see, and based on my conversations with other people, I can say that I have faith on the land. They will definitely go.

Sharad Yadav

Sharad Yadav has been in a political turmoil in his career over the past few months after he was expelled from the JD(U) and lost the Rajya Sabha seat.

Talking about the nature of the “grand alliance” he is expecting, Yadav said that though there are a lot of contradictions in the path of unity with all the parties having vested interests, circumstances are compelling enough for them to unite against the BJP.

When asked whether the BJP’s defeat in the bypolls for the Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur and Phulpur has increased the confidence of the Opposition, Yadav – who witnessed the united Opposition against the Congress in 1977 – said that parties are working hard to come together because they understand the danger the country is faced with.

Recalling the days of foremost socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan who launched a revolution against the Indira Gandhi government, Yadav said that Narayan had demanded a complete unity to call victory in the election after Emergency.

He noted that in 1977 there were lesser number of parties so it was easier for them to unite, but the challenge today is that the number of political parties is very high.

Will SP and BSP Come Together?

To a question on the alliance of the SP and the BSP for 2019 elections, Yadav was prompt to say that the people’s verdict is clear.

In Gorakhpur, Phulpur, Araria, Alwar, Ajmer and  Gurudaspur seats, the public has given a message that Opposition parties should become one.

UP, MP, Rajasthan Might Be in the Pocket but What About Bengal?

Sharad Yadav said that it is a challenge to come together, but the views of all the parties are similar and that Mamata Banerjee is a leader who has been born out of struggle, so her concerns are same as us. With the idea of a third front floating, Yadav said that he is unsure of how that will pan out.

Mamata is a product of struggle. Her name should be included in the opposition’s list of senior guardians. She cares for the nation just as much as any other leader. Wait for some time, the news of her making a third front will prove to be false eventually.

Sharad Yadav

He goes on to say that like there is a contest between N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Congress in Andhra Pradesh, there is also a conflict of interests among Mamata’s TMC, the Left and the Congress in West Bengal, although in the end a way for an united opposition will come through.

What Would It Take to Bust the 'Organised Gang' of BJP?

Sharad Yadav believes that there is a great difference between the Congress and the BJP. He said that the BJP is an organized gang. But in front of the opposition's unity, the BJP is in trouble. BJP got 31 percent votes in 2014, while the opposition got 69 percent votes. Of these, 15 percent votes are minorities, that means two-thirds of Hindu voters were against them in the last elections.

Sharad Yadav said that before the election the unity of the opposition will be on track and the Modi government will be discharged in the 2019 elections.