The much-awaited Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Bloc meeting of Opposition leaders to finalise their plan for taking on Modi’s juggernaut in the Lok Sabha polls has been scheduled for Wednesday in the national Capital.
The leaders have decided to meet at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and maximum participation is anticipated due to the presence of leaders for the Winter Session, which begins on Monday.
This decision is also set against the backdrop of the grand old party wresting power in another southern State, Telangana, six months after registering a significant win in Karnataka.
Sources have indicated that, while leaders are expected to discuss the 2024 strategy, members will also delve into the damage caused by alliance partners such as the Samajwadi Party and the AAP in the recently concluded election results in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
According to reports, SP candidates garnered the same number of votes that accounted for the Congress’s loss, thereby paving the way for the BJP’s candidate to win. The INDIA Bloc meeting was delayed as the Congress awaited the results of Assembly elections in five states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram — before finalising the Opposition Bloc's strategy and seat-sharing arrangement for the general elections.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the outcome of the Assembly elections in four States will not have any impact on the INDIA Bloc, which comprises more than 26 Opposition parties led by the Congress.
"I don't think this will have any impact on the INDIA alliance. We will be meeting at Kharge's residence in Delhi. We will speak to those who know the ground reality. We will be able to comment on it after the meeting only," Pawar said.
Pawar's NCP is part of INDIA, which has so far held three rounds of deliberations in Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.
Janata Dal (United) took a swipe at the Congress following its rout in three Hindi heartland States, saying it is clear that the main Opposition party is unable to win on its own.
JD (U) spokesperson K C Tyagi said the INDIA Bloc was missing in the elections. The Congress is in a coalition Government with the RJD in the Bihar Government led by JD(U) leader Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Some parties like Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party wanted early finalisation of seat-sharing but the talks were delayed due to the Assembly polls.
Sources said the Opposition leaders would now plan joint rallies that were put on hold due to the Assembly elections. One such rally planned in the first week of October in Bhopal was cancelled at the last moment. Talks on seat-sharing between regional outfits would also gain momentum now, they said.
The Congress never invited or consulted any of its allies in the INDIA Bloc even though socialist parties have historically had a presence in these States, said Tyagi, attacking the party's leadership of calling off a proposed rally on the Opposition alliance in Bhopal in the run up to the elections. "It is very necessary now for everyone to strengthen the INDIA Bloc. If the alliance meeting was called a couple of months earlier, it would have been good," he said.
