NEW DELHI : Former Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Tuesday, 28 September, joined the Congress party, in the presence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, Jignesh Mevani, an independent MLA from Gujarat, lent support to the party, as he could not formally join owing to “technical reasons”.
Meanwhile, Jignesh Mevani, an independent MLA from Gujarat, lent support to the party, as he could not formally join owing to “technical reasons”. There’s no doubt that Mevani and Kumar are both important young voices, known for their opposition to right-wing politics. A key role in Kumar’s induction is said to have been played by Prashant Kishor who met the former JNUSU president at the residence of former JD(U) leader Pavan Verma.

It is quite likely that Mevani and Kumar would be a part of the Congress’ campaign in the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur. Mevani has even gone on to say that while he has not formally joined because he is an independent MLA, he will fight the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections on Congress symbol.
In a question , Kumar said “the question of Left-Right is irrelevant now because we are faced with a new age Govinda (Hindi film actor) who keeps changing his costumes. Let’s not get into this ideological battle. We need to save India and India’s constitution. This alone is my target.”He did not detail the reasons for quitting the CPI, but he expressed gratitude towards his former organization. “I was born and brought up, trained there and also gave me the passion to struggle,” he said. But at the same time, he said, he wants to thank the many crore Indians who stood by him and who fought with their own families and friends in support of him. “I am not kidding, but many even had divorce because of their stand,” he added.

Explaining the reason for joining the Congress Mr. Kumar said, “I am joining the country’s oldest and the most democratic party, because I feel and so do many other young people, that if the Congress does not survive, then the country will not survive,” he said at the Congress headquarters facing a hall packed with his supporters and media personnel. The Congress is the only alternative to the BJP on at least 200 Lok Sabha seats, Mr. Kumar said.

“Congress is the biggest Opposition party of the country. If we do not save it… if we do not save the big ship, then the smaller boats too won’t survive,” he added. Mr. Kumar said that questions will be asked about his past and present, but in spite of the questions, he can not turn away from the “historic responsibility” that lies before him.
(With Agency Inputs ).