The alliance of 26 Opposition parties — INDIA — on Friday, September 1, announced that will contest the Lok Sabha elections together "as far as possible" to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA alliance at the Centre. This decision was taken in their third meet in Mumbai, where the alliance parties' members marked their presence for the last two days to chalk out a campaign strategy and finalise the formal structure of the Opposition bloc.

"INDIA is ready! We will fight together. We will speak in one voice. We will reach out to every single Indian. Judega Bharat, Jeetega INDIA!," Congress' General Secretary K.C. Venugopal posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Opposition alliance also passed a resolution to initiate a seat-sharing arrangement soon, saying it will be concluded at the "earliest in collaborative spirit of give-and-take."

Agenda of I.N.DI.A

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also laid out the roadmap of the alliance’s moves to counter schemes and policies of the Modi government.

“First meeting in Patna was about setting the agenda. Then the second meeting happened in Bangalore. We all are again meeting in Mumbai. Our aim is to fight against inflation, price rise, unemployment. Modi raises Rs 100 and decreases Rs 2. The reduction in gas cylinder prices does not mean anything. It is fakery. Modi can never work for the poor. He works for big industrialists. It is important that INDIA wins to stop all of this.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray said the Centre is scared of the alliance, which is getting stronger. He pledged to the people that the alliance parties have "joined hands for a fearless India" and will continue to fight against "dictators and cronyism."

“This is the third meeting. The INDIA alliance is getting stronger. The opponents are scared. We held deliberations on many issues. We will fight against dictators and cronyism. The battle is getting intense. We want to assure all that we have joined hands for a fearless India. The government's loot for five years and concessions in the election year will not be tolerated.”

Speaking to the alliance leaders, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed confidence that their united effort can snatch victory from the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. "The parties are working together unitedly. So, as a result of this, those who are at the Centre will lose. They will go away."

I.N.D.I.A Strategy

The bloc also resolved to organise public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance. The INDIA members have passed a resolution to coordinate communications and media strategies on the theme of 'Judega Bharat, Jeetega India' in different languages.

"We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to coordinate our respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme Judega Bharat, Jiteega India in different languages,” the alliance said.

Committees

The alliance parties also announced the formation of a 13-member coordination committee, which will act as the highest decision-making body. Beside this, the INDIA alliance also announced the formation of a campaign committee having 19 members.

Also Read:INDIA alliance passes resolution ahead of Lok Sabha polls: What it said on committee members and seat sharing

(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)

First Published:Sept 1, 2023 4:16 PM IST