It was only a few days back that the leaders of 26 Opposition political parties from across India joined hands to form the INDIA coalition — the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance to challenge the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP, in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. However, cracks have already started appearing in the ‘INDIA’ alliance of the opposition parties. Punjab Congress seems to be ‘unhappy’ with Congress joining hands with Aam Aadmi Party. Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa outrightly rejected the idea of stitching an alliance with AAP in the Punjab 2024 Parliamentary elections. On the other hand, AAP’s Spokesperson in Punjab, Malvinder Kang said that the alliance has been formed in the national interest.
23 July,2023 04:54 PM IST
After the second day of the opposition meeting in Bengaluru on July 18, the Opposition parties decided to name their alliance I-N-D-I-A (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance). Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge briefed ‘I-N-D-I-A’ and said, “All parties are happy with this name”. Rahul Gandhi attacked BJP and said, “The fight is against BJP and its ideology. This fight is between India and Narendra Modi”. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee challenged NDA-led Govt and said, “Can you challenge I-N-D-I-A?". Thereafter, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, “We have gathered here not for ourselves but to save the country from hatred”. Earlier today, several Opposition leaders also shared tweets, indicating that such a name was being considered. Taking to Twitter, Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore said, “INDIA will win”. Taking to Twitter, TMC MP Derek O'Brien wrote, “Chak De! INDIA”. 26 like-minded parties met in Bengaluru to discuss a united strategy to take on the ruling BJP in 2024 LS polls. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi also attended the 2nd Opposition meeting in Bengaluru. Prominent leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Mehbooba Mufti, Arvind Kejriwal and Nitish Kumar were also present at the meeting. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar who skipped the meeting on the first day, arrived at the venue to attend the second-day of the meeting. As per reports, the Opposition parties may discuss the issue of EVM and suggest reforms to the Election Commission.
19 July,2023 10:51 AM IST | Mumbai
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP leader Praful Patel arrived in Delhi to attend the NDA meeting on July 18. On one hand, the Opposition with 26 parties held their meeting in Karnataka’s Bengaluru to corner BJP in the next year’s Lok Sabha Elections, on the other hand, the BJP with its 38 allies will be holding a meeting of the NDA in the national capital today. Commenting on Opposition’s meeting, Praful Patel said, "Everyone has the right to take decisions as per their political parties. Those meeting in Bengaluru will work as per they want and we will work as we want”. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde also arrived in Delhi to take part in the meeting of the BJP-led NDA.
18 July,2023 06:05 PM IST | Mumbai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the opposition unity meeting in Bengaluru and said, "Today, people of the country have already decided to bring us back in 2024. So, people who are responsible for the plight of India have opened their shops...24 ke liye 26 hone waale rajnaitik dalon par ye bada fit baithta hai. They are singing some other song but the reality is something else. A label of something else has been put up but the product is someone else's. There is a guarantee of the poison of casteism and immense corruption at their shops. Now, they are in Bengaluru. Various leaders like Congress’s former president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, WB CM Mamata Banerjee, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, JD(U) Chief Lallan Singh and others have been attending the meeting. Notably, the meeting will be an informal one followed by dinner. Another formal meeting is supposed to take place on July 18. The meeting is being hosted by Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Notably, the first opposition meeting was held on June 23 in Patna.
18 July,2023 03:33 PM IST | Mumbai
Big posters and banners were put up on Race Course Road in Bengaluru on July 17. The posters welcomed leaders of various opposition parties set to arrive for the joint Opposition meeting. Posters of Opposition leaders, including AAP's national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, were put up at the venue. The first round of meetings is scheduled to take place on July 17 and the second round at Taj West End Hotel in Bengaluru on July 18. Top leaders of at least 26 political parties would attend the second Opposition unity meeting being convened by Congress. Rahul Gandhi was seen leaving for the meet with Sonia Gandhi. Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh, DK Sivakumar briefed the media about the opposition meet. AAP leader Raghav Chadha while talking about the meet and absence of Sharad Pawar in the meet highlighted that the NCP chief is not attending the meet owing to the first day of Monsoon session of Maharashtra Assembly.
17 July,2023 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai
While addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Shiv Sena Leader (Uddhav Faction) Sanjay Raut on June 24 said that Uddhav Thackeray has said in the Opposition meeting that, if there will not be a power change in 2024, then this will be the last election, so to protect democracy, the Opposition parties have to stay united and fight the election. Whereas on June 23, BJP Leader Smriti Irani taking a jibe at the Opposition leader said, “Alliance of selfishness, India on target. The political parties which did not see eye to eye with each other, united with a resolve that deprives India of economic progress. Whenever these political parties come together, they bring corruption, nepotism and economic progress of the nation. They brought with them the allegation of narrowing.” The Opposition meeting took place on June 23 in Bihar’s Patna where the Oppositions leaders had gathered to formalise the strategy for 2024 polls.
24 June,2023 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai
Opposition leaders Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge arrived in Patna on Friday at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s residence. Rahul Gandhi talked to the public before attending the meeting and said, Congress’ DNA is in Bihar and thanked the people of Bihar for attending the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
23 June,2023 03:22 PM IST | Mumbai
Independent Rajya Sabha MP and advocate Kapil Sibal said that the opposition must stand united to contest the 2024 election and bring down this government through electoral process. Earlier, JDU National President Lalan Singh and Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav had spoken at a press conference regarding the opposition meeting, which had been postponed for June 23. He informed that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, along with several leaders will be attending the meeting where the blueprint of the opposition for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be discussed.
10 June,2023 03:38 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
