With the countdown for the Lok Sabha polls nearing every passing day till April-May subsequent yr, Opposition’s I.N.D.I.A bloc, which assembled on a single stage to oust the BJP authorities from the Centre, is hoping to make inroads to the corridors of energy by the tip of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. As a part of this, the Opposition grand alliance, comprising over 25 events, have held three conferences up to now and can reassemble today (December 19) within the nationwide capital, this time aiming to formulate a profitable seat-sharing system.
Among the top agenda for the assembly can be preparation of a joint marketing campaign blueprint to tackle the BJP, after struggling a large setback within the just lately concluded Assembly elections within the Hindi heartland – Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Congress had managed to win Telangana with a majority, giving it a ray of hope within the polls thought-about as semi last forward of the 2024 last.
Opposition’s PM face
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee mentioned that the prime ministerial candidate of the alliance can be determined by the events after the final elections. She expressed confidence in finding out all points and coming to an settlement over the seat-sharing with different events, to problem the BJP.
She additionally dismissed solutions that the alliance has misplaced time in placing issues so as, saying “it is better late than never”.
Mamata additionally exuded confidence in the potential of stitching a three-way alliance in West Bengal between TMC, Congress and the Left.
“The BJP is not strong, we are weak. We need to work together to overcome it,” Mamata mentioned in response to a query on the BJP’s rising affect, particularly within the Hindi belt.
She mentioned that she is able to marketing campaign for alliance companions throughout the nation.
The TMC chief additionally known as on Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and mentioned the political state of affairs within the nation.
Tejashwi Yadav on poll preparations
Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, who arrived within the nationwide capital, mentioned that the committees which have been fashioned earlier have been working behind the scenes and preparations for the polls have been underway.
He mentioned that the regional events are very sturdy and everybody within the alliance will play an element.
“Wherever there are regional parties, the BJP is no where to be seen. Most of the regional parties are with INDIA bloc,” the RJD chief mentioned.
When requested in regards to the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s function within the INDIA bloc going ahead, he mentioned everybody’s function is identical and everybody’s goal is identical which is to oust “divisive forces” from energy.
Nitish Kumar and Uddhav Thackeray arrived in Delhi on Monday night for the assembly.
Challenges earlier than the I.N.D.I.A bloc
Among the mammoth challenges that the Opposition’s alliance is confronted with are seat sharing and a programme to carry joint rallies and likewise evolving a core optimistic agenda.
The events intend to maneuver ahead with the unity theme – “Main Nahin, Hum” (We, Not Me) – as a counter to Prime Minister Modi on the assembly, a senior Congress chief mentioned.
The key problem earlier than the leaders of varied opposition events, who’ve come collectively to combat the BJP within the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, can also be to provide you with another widespread programme as a counter to the ruling dispensation.
The instant problem earlier than the INDIA bloc can also be to construct a consensus on having a convener, a spokesperson and a typical secretariat, as it’s a tough challenge on account of variations amongst its constituents.
The latest victory of the BJP in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh has additionally put extra stress on opposition events to place up a united face.
Seat-sharing agreements and strategy
According to sources, some events like Samajwadi Party and the DMK are prone to finalise their seat-sharing with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
However, West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab and Delhi proceed to stay sticking factors among the many alliance companions, as none are prepared to present in.
With some points just like the narrative of holding a caste census not resonating nicely inside the electorates within the Assembly polls, the Opposition leaders could nicely return to the drafting board to chalk out a brand new strategy.
“Also, plans for joint rallies by the opposition would have to be finalised soon as the last one scheduled to be held in Bhopal in October before the assembly polls had to be cancelled,” the sources mentioned.
Congress, which suffered crushing defeats within the Hindi heartland within the Assembly elections, finds itself in a weaker place inside the alliance, as in comparison with the earlier assembly which occurred earlier than the five-state polls.
Equations inside the INDIA bloc are set to alter, as different opposition events would problem its place because the fulcrum of the alliance.
Undeterred by the latest defeats, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has mentioned that they are going to transfer ahead to tackle the BJP with a optimistic agenda and can spotlight individuals’s points.
This would be the fourth assembly of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Its first assembly was held in Patna on June 23. Its second assembly was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18 and the third in Mumbai between August 31 and September 1, the place the 27 events had adopted resolutions to unitedly contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
(With PTI inputs)
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