02 September,2023 01:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) met at Grand Hyatt hotel in Mumbai
In the aftermath of the recent INDIA alliance meeting in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has emphasized the importance of the opposition bloc providing a definitive national agenda. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party expressed concern that the collective efforts of its alliance members would be in vain unless a well-defined agenda for the country is established.
In an editorial featured in its publication, 'Saamana', the Shiv Sena (UBT) also stressed the need for peaceful resolution of seat-sharing issues within each state. The INDIA alliance, following its meeting on Friday, pledged to jointly contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with an emphasis on swift and amicable seat-sharing arrangements in various states through a spirit of collaboration.
The editorial noted that despite ideological differences, parties such as the Left and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, and the Congress and CPI(M) in Kerala, participated in the INDIA alliance meeting. Additionally, it highlighted that the Aam Aadmi Party has expressed readiness for discussions with the Congress in Punjab and Delhi, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the NCP group led by Sharad Pawar, has remained relatively harmonious.
The editorial called for the alliance to engage in open dialogue if faced with challenges akin to "dictatorship" and urged all 28 participating parties to have open and constructive discussions.
Furthermore, it critiqued the Central government's decision to convene a special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22, coinciding with the Ganesh festival, a prominent celebration in Maharashtra. The party's concerns reflected the potential disruption to the festive atmosphere in the state due to parliamentary activities.
INDIA bloc meeting
The meeting, hosted at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, brought together 63 representatives from 28 political parties as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The huddle was third such meeting held of the Opposition alliance. The first meeting was held in Patna and the second in Bengaluru.
At the meeting, the Opposition leaders constituted a Coordination Committee consisting of 14-members and four other main groups. The 14-member Coordination Committee consists of Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and others.