MUMBAI/SHIMLA: The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), consisting of leaders from over a dozen opposition parties, is gearing up for its third crucial meeting at Mumbai's plush lavish Hyatt Grand.
INDIA alliance leaders claim they would "focus on addressing issues like unemployment, poverty, and rising prices and erosion of “democratic institutions and values” during the Modi Regime".
They also indicate alliance’s aim to formulate strategies for seat-sharing and select its Prime Ministerial candidate or convenor for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections if all goes as planned.
This move is seen as a united front against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is touting as PM face to score the Hattrick.
The two-day event in Mumbai unfolds amidst escalating debates on social media, indicating the growing intensity of the political discourse as the nation approaches the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
INDIA alliance leaders, arriving at the Hayatt Grand for a Grand Dinner hosted by Uddhay Thakre, stressed the alliance's commitment to safeguarding "democratic values and constitutional integrity," setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dubbed the INDIA alliance as "Ghumandia," accusing its members of perpetuating "politics of dynasty and appeasement."
The clash of narratives underscores the polarization characterizing the political landscape of India in the run-up to the impending elections.
Key figures present include Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Delhi CM and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, JD(U) Chife and Bihar’s CM Nitish Kumar, West Bengal CM and TMC Chief Mamta Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM DMK leader MK Stalin, Shiv Sena(UBD) leader Udhav Thakre, PDF Chief Mehbooba Mufti, NC Chief Dr Farooq Abdulla, , CPI(M) General Secretary Sita Ram Yachuri, CPI Leader D Raja, RJD Chief Laloo Prasad Yadav, former UP CM and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav and others.
If one goes by the statements they have given to the media on the arrival in Mumbai, they emphasized the unified mission to oust the BJP from power in 2024.
INDIA alliance had two meetings earlier in Patna and Bangalore, solidifying the opposition's collective resolve. This is the third meeting in Mumbai which the country is watching closely.
Speculation abounds regarding seat sharing issues in Maharashtra, Bihar, UP, West Bengal, Delhi and Punjab.
Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi hailed the event as historic, asserting that strategies for a 2024 victory are in progress. Uddhav Thackeray's faction leader, Aditya Thakre, condemned BJP's targeting as a sign of fear in the face of INDIA's united front.
INDIA has showcased its Pan India strength by displaying the 11 Chief Ministers from non-BJP ruled states- Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
The supporters of INDIA Alliance say that Prime Ministerial candidate can be decided as UPA had done before. “Idea is to win the Lok Sabha election by seat -sharing and common strategy shedding egos and bias, political conflicts”.
As the BJP-led NDA presents Narendra Singh Modi as their candidate, the opposition alliance aims to present a united and formidable front to counter the BJP's resurgence. The 2024 elections are viewed as critical in shaping the country's future trajectory.
In all the Himalayan states, there is not much of problem. There would be Congress vs BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand. In the northeast, both BJP and INDIA alliance would forge alliances with the regional parties.
The notable absentee from the North is SAD(Badal) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, who told media that the party has ample opportunities to forge alliance that would be in the best interest of the Punjab, indicating a revert to its old national partner BJP, in case Congress and AAP forge a seat-sharing alliance in Punjab.
With diverse regional, and national political entities coming together, the opposition aims to challenge BJP's potential dominance. Now the spotlight has turned on the outcome of INDIA alliance meet tomorrow when the alliance leaders will address the media announcing its future strategy.
