OUR JOB IS TO ENSURE ALTERNATIVE GOVERNANCE SAYS THIAGARAJAN

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Sunday said the non-BJPruled States should look at delivering an alternative governance model based on the idea of “human being society” and real governance, which is the best thing to do as the Opposition in the run up to 2024 general elections.

"Our job is to show an alternative model that shows a government and governance structure, and where you can ask why should you settle for not having food, jobs, medical treatment but have jingoism, false pride of Hindutva or hatred of Islam or whatever," he said during a webinar - 'From Mixed to Crony Capitalism: Re-defining India's political economy?', organised by the Dravidian Professionals Forum.

"There is actually governance that can deliver for you. You can retain your self respect and dignity, participate in the process," Mr. Thiaga Rajan said. According to him, post Uttar Pradesh Assembly election in 2017, the BJP has not won any State election convincingly. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj K. Jha said the Opposition should come together for an alternative programme. "The question should be 'if not Modi's kind of politics, then what kind of politics?' The alternative model should talk about radical programmes in terms of an economic model, which is more inclusive, a social model, where you don't sell fear to the majority," he said.

Ece Temelkuran, author and political commentator said, the "if not Modi, who, if not Erdogan (Turkey President), who" kind of questions means "we have lost democracy already up to a certain degree."

Media: The Hindu