Day 2 Of Congress Protest: Trinamool Congress Joins Congress-led Opposition Strategy Meeting For The First Time

The TMC showed Opposition unity by participating in a Congress-led protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as an MP, marking their first joint Opposition strategy meeting.

Prasun Banerjee and Jawahar Sircar from Trinamool attended Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's strategy meeting today, marking a significant departure from their party's earlier stance of staying neutral towards both Congress and BJP.

Trinamool stated it backed Rahul Gandhi's protest as it deemed crucial for the Opposition to remain united.

Sircar stated that they have never missed a protest or walkout since day one, and the recent walk together was a symbol of solidarity against undemocratic attacks.

The Congress chief expressed gratitude towards those who support democracy, Constitution and people's welfare. They thanked everyone who had previously supported them and welcomed others who wish to do the same.

Congress MPs wore black shirts in protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification.

The Trinamool has historically had a fraught relationship with the Congress. When Rahul Gandhi was disqualified in a 2019 defamation case, the Trinamool initially remained silent. Additionally, the party has previously declined to attend meetings led by the Congress focused on Opposition strategy.

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, a vocal opponent of the BJP, too, backed Rahul Gandhi.

"In PM Modi's New India, Opposition leaders have become the prime target of the BJP! While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the cabinet, Opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches. Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy," Mamata said.

Earlier this month, Banerjee accused the Congress-Left combine of having an "immoral alliance" with the BJP and said there would be no partnership for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi, led by K Chandrasekhar Rao, and the Shiv Sena, under Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, joined the "black shirt" protest in Telangana.

17 opposition parties, including INC, DMK, SP, JDU, and TMC, attended the meeting, along with others such as RJD, NCP, AAP, and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Congress leaders have accused the government of trying to silence Rahul Gandhi. According to them, Rahul has been asking sharp questions about the Adani-Hindenburg row. They allege a conspiracy to make him stop speaking out and have been protesting across the country for two days.

Party President Mallikarjun Kharge and top leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have called Rahul Gandhi a "martyr's son" and accused the government of trying to silence him.

The BJP accused the Congress of protesting against the Constitution and the courts, while asserting that action against Rahul Gandhi was lawful and independent.

Fourteen opposition parties have approached the Supreme Court alleging the misuse of central investigating agencies by the government; The case is scheduled for a hearing on April 5.

Rahul Gandhi was sentenced to two years in jail in the case on Thursday (23 March) but was later granted bail by the court.

The case was filed against Gandhi for his alleged “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?” remarks on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi. 

The Congress leader's team plans to appeal the verdict in a higher court as he faces a ban on contesting elections for eight years if it is not overturned.