Opposition bloc INDIA leaders have assembled in New Delhi for the first time in over three months for a crucial meeting surrounding the strategy and policy formulation for the 2024 general elections.
The meeting gains significance after the rout of the Congress party – the leading constituent of the Bloc – in the recent assembly polls in Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The meeting is likely to discuss seat-sharing arrangements, formulate a joint campaign blueprint for the 2024 general elections, and recalibrate its plan of action following the setback in the three Hindi heartland states.
A day ahead of the mega opposition meet, a staggering 78 Members of Parliament (MPs) belonging to opposition parties were suspended from both houses – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – amidst heated protests demanding accountability for last week’s Parliament security breach.
The suspensions were a consequence of the opposition MP’s participation in protests, urging a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the breach.
This follows the suspension of 14 MPs last week, who were similarly advocating for transparency in addressing the security lapse.
“This government has reached the apex of dictatorship. They have the majority, and they are wielding the stick of power. They want to run Parliament like a party office. But that cannot happen. We were eager for a discussion. The productivity of Parliament before December 13 is for all to see. It seems they find it easier to talk to the media, but are scared to speak in Parliament,” said Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, one of the suspended MPs.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, held several high-profile meetings with key opposition leaders in run-up to the INDIA meet.
Kejriwal engaged in a 45-minute closed-door discussion with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before his meeting with former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his trusted aide, Sanjay Raut.
Speaking ahead of the mega opposition meet, CM Banerjee declared that the INDIA bloc’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2024 elections would be chosen only after the polls. Addressing internal squabbles like seat-sharing disagreements, Banerjee asserted the alliance’s unwavering resolve to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief dismissed suggestions that the opposition alliance had faltered in setting its gears for the 2024 elections, saying, “It is better late than never,” while hinting that a potential three-way alliance between her party, Congress, and the Left was very much possible for West Bengal. “The BJP is not strong, we are weak. We need to work together to overcome it,” Banerjee said.
INDIA bloc parties are banding together under the banner of “Main Nahin, Hum” (We, Not Me) to counter Narendra Modi-led NDA alliance. However, despite the message of collective action, the opposition alliance has yet to streamline an alternative common programme or appoint a convener, a spokesperson, and a common secretariat.
INDIA bloc’s first meeting was held in Patna on June 23, the second in Bengaluru on July 17-18, and the third in Mumbai between August 31 and September 1.
