Secular parties should join hands and elect Mamata as leader: Rashid Alvi

The HinduCongress leader Rashid Alvi. File photo: Shanker Chakravarty

On the eve of the Lok Sabha election results, Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Thursday suggested that all regional secular parties should come together and elect West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the leader to keep BJP out of power.

Admitting that it may be difficult for Congress to form the government, he said, “It may be difficult for us to form the government, but all secular forces should come together to keep Narendra Modi away from power.”

He suggested that all regional secular parties should come together and elect their leader. “Congress party will never hesitate to form a secular government,” he said.

“I suggest that regional parties should elect Mamata Banerjee, who is secular, competent and honest beyond doubt, as their leader,” he said.

Stating that he does not believe in exit polls and truth will come out tomorrow, Mr. Alvi said, “Whether the Congress conquers the electoral battle or loses it, we all shall be responsible for the credit or discredit. It will be injustice for anyone to only blame the leadership of Congress.”