Political alliance Archives

Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) leaders pose for a group photograph, in Mumbai on September 1, 2023. PTI

Opposition bloc INDIA on Friday resolved to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls together “as far as possible”, asserting seat-sharing arrangements in states will be concluded at the earliest in a “collaborative spirit of give-and-take”. It also exuded confidence that the new front would easily defeat the BJP.

Meeting against the backdrop of speculation in certain political circles about early polls and formation of a panel to explore the possibility of ‘one nation, one election’, the opposition bloc leaders set up a 14-member coordination committee that will act as the highest decision-making body of the alliance and initiate work on seat sharing.

Sources said the body has been asked to work out a seat sharing formula by September end, a suggestion that was given during informal talks between the leaders.

The opposition leaders vowed to finalise seat sharing in an accommodative spirit with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claiming at a joint news conference that the alliance represents 60 per cent of the population and if it takes on the BJP unitedly, it will easily defeat the ruling party.

As many as 63 representatives from 28 political parties took part in the third meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai.

The 14-member coordination panel will have KC Venugopal of Congress, TR Baalu of DMK, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena, Hemant Soren of JMM, Raghav Chadha of AAP, D Raja of CPI, Javed Ali Khan of SP, Tejashwi Yadav of RJD, Lalan Singh of JD(U), Abhishek Banerjee of TMC, Omar Abdullah of NC and Mehbooba Mufti of PDP. The CPI-M will give the name of their leader later.

In a resolution passed at the meeting, the INDIA bloc said, “We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together as far as possible. Seat-sharing arrangements in different states will be initiated immediately and concluded at the earliest in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take.” It also resolved to organize public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance.

Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/will-contest-lok-sabha-polls-together-as-far-as-possible-india-blocs-resolution-540379

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal said seat sharing between INDIA alliance parties will take place across the country. (File photo: PTI)

Leaders of at least 26 opposition parties, under the umbrella of the INDIA alliance, on Thursday held talks in Mumbai to chart out a concrete roadmap and evolve a structure for cooperation among the alliance partners to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

All top opposition leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, and Arvind Kejriwal among others were present at the “informal” huddle at Grand Hyatt hotel here. Key decisions about the alliance’s future strategy will be taken at the formal meeting on Friday. Thackeray hosted a dinner for the INDIA leaders after the meeting.

This is the third meeting of the opposition’s alliance. The first meeting of the bloc was held in June in Patna, while the second gathering in Bengaluru in July finalised its name — Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

INDIA leaders will meet again on Friday. Uddhav Thackeray said INDIA alliance parties will hold a press conference on Friday.

WHAT INDIA LEADERS DISCUSSED?

According to CNN-News18 sources, names of INDIA convenor and committees will be finalised at Friday huddle. The opposition leaders discussed why the government called a five-day special session of Parliament. They deliberated on whether the government is planning to club Lok Sabha and state assembly polls and that the alliance should be prepared for it.

“The parties also decided that some seats must be earmarked and whether parties should have common rallies. At the meeting, the Samajwadi party highlighted the importance of Uttar Pradesh in the polls and discussed the use of central agencies. Names of convenor and committees will be finalise tomorrow,” said sources.

INDIA SEAT SHARING FORMULA FOR 2024

Sources also told CNN-News18 that leaders discussed the need for surveys to be conducted at the regional level. They said the initial discussion (at Friday’s meeting) will be on regional seat distribution. Sources said discussion for Lok Sabha seat sharing should be done at the local level as per local combinations and strengths.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal said seat sharing between INDIA alliance parties will take place across the country.

WHAT INDIA LEADERS SAID?

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said there should be a Convener and a Working Group. “We can’t hold a meeting every two months like this. I think if meetings are held more regularly by forming a Working Group, it will definitely be effective,” he said.

When asked who will be the PM face of INDIA alliance, Abdullah said, “If you ask me, I don’t think we need to announce any Prime Ministerial face. Let the elections take place, let us get a majority – the decision will be made after that.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Opposition will formulate a strategy in the Mumbai meet which will help them win in 2024 polls. “It’s a historic day and a new history is being created today… We will work and will formulate a strategy which will help us to win in 2024…,” Chaturvedi said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/india-alliance-mumbai-meeting-opposition-bloc-congress-ncp-tmc-lok-sabha-election-2024-livenews-8559004.html