Parties will not be comfortable in joining hands with BJP, no reason for me to change approach: Jayant Chaudhary

Dismissing as “conjecture” the talk about the possibility of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) switching to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Jayant Chaudhary said parties would not be comfortable joining hands with the saffron party which, he alleged, is “very effective” at steamrolling dissenting voices, PTI reported.

RLD is part of the Opposition group INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance).

Chaudhary said he does not see any reason to change his approach heading towards the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

“In a democracy, you will always have people who come and oppose you, ask questions, fight elections, they are not your sworn enemies that you give them names like that. It is demeaning not for us, we have gotten used to the barbs. It is demeaning to voters who voted for us in the past and may vote for us in the future,” the Rajya Sabha MP said hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for calling the INDIA alliance Ghamandia.

The BJP is very effective at “road rolling” over dissenting voices, whether it is from the media, civil society or from political opponents, he alleged in an interview with PTI news agency.

“Will many parties actually be comfortable in joining hands with BJP in such an atmosphere? I doubt it. In fact, most of their old allies have left them,” Chaudhary said.

On the BJP exuding confidence of a victory by a bigger mandate in 2024 General Assembly than last time, RLD leader said he has full faith that voters will make the right decision.

“I am waiting for their decision. To assume that they have decided or they are mere Bhakts who have no choice in the matter is very arrogant,” he said.