New Delhi: The Welfare Party of India (WPI) has unveiled its electoral strategy for the upcoming parliamentary elections. In a press conference held at the Press Club of India recently, marking the culmination of its 13-year journey, WPI President Dr. SQR Ilyas announced the party’s decision to field candidates in four constituencies: Murshidabad and Jangipur in West Bengal, Dhule in Maharashtra, and Domriyaganj in Uttar Pradesh. However, in a strategic move, the party has extended its support to the opposition I.N.D.I.A. alliance for the remaining 539 seats.
Dr. Ilyas underscored the critical importance of these elections, framing them as a watershed moment that will determine the trajectory of democracy in the country. He emphasized the need to uphold constitutional rights and preserve India’s secular ethos amidst the current political climate.
The President levelled strong criticism against the ruling NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing it of amassing unprecedented power and stifling dissenting voices in the media and judiciary. He lamented the unfulfilled promises of the Modi administration, such as failed economic policies like demonetization and the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which led to the closure of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises and widespread job losses.
When the country is facing serious problems such as inflation, unemployment, lawlessness, growing sectarianism, atrocities on women, large scale corruption and when the every section of the society including farmers, labourers, women, youth and small industries in distress and disturbed, Modi is raising religious and communal issues during the campaign instead of framing policies and finding solutions to address the core issues of the people resembles Nero played fiddle while Rome was burning.
Dr. Ilyas cautions “BJP came to power with a slogan” Na khavunga, Na Khanathunga” to eradicate corruption. But the recent revelation of details of Electoral Bond scheme is the evidence how BJP has swindled huge sums through legalised way. In the last ten years tenure the government had sold many premier PSU’s including ports, mines and airports etc., to corporates.”
Slamming the saffron party’s poll manifesto, the WPI leader stated, “there is no guarantees in the ‘Sankalp patra’ of BJP to fulfil the assurances made during 2014 and 2019 elections. However it included uniform civil code (UCC), one nation one election (ONOE) and organising Ramayan festivals across the world etc., clearly indicates the intention of BJP to form a hindurashtra state if it is elected for a third term. Modi is often telling in many forums that he will take some strong important and major decisions in the third term.”
Dr. Ilyas also criticized the government’s handling of issues such as unemployment and black money, highlighting its tendency to divert attention towards religious and communal agendas during election campaigns.
Furthermore, he condemned the BJP’s legislative tactics, citing the passage of controversial bills without proper opposition discourse and the neglect of farmer protests against contentious farm laws.
The WPI leader pointed to the plight of farmers protesting the contentious farm laws and the persistence of the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) despite nationwide opposition.
Calling upon citizens to rally behind the INDIA alliance, Dr. Ilyas urged action against pressing issues like inflation, unemployment, corruption, and social injustice. He cautioned against the BJP’s alleged intentions to impose discriminatory laws.
WPI National General Secretary Subramani Arumugam echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of opposition unity in safeguarding democratic principles and secular values.
The WPI leaders urged voters to support INDIA alliance candidates in order to usher in a new era of governance and secure the nation’s future.