According to sources, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav were unhappy with the suggestion of Mallikarjun Kharge being INDIA bloc’s PM face. This is not the first time members of the Opposition alliance have been left disgruntled after a meeting.
(L-R) RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the INDIA meet. (PTI photo)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 19, 2023 21:28 IST
The INDIA bloc parties convened for their fourth meeting in Delhi on Tuesday to deliberate on matters such as seat-sharing and campaign strategies for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
According to sources, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD Chief Lalu Yadav expressed their displeasure at the suggestion of selecting Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge as the INDIA bloc's Prime Ministerial candidate. Subsequently, both leaders exited the meeting and did not attend the subsequent news conference.
This discontent among INDIA bloc leaders is not unprecedented, as evident from previous meetings.
First Meeting in Patna on June 23
The inaugural meeting of the Opposition coalition took place in Patna, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar being the convenor. Fifteen opposition parties participated with the aim of consolidating their forces against the Modi government in the impending general elections.
Upset: Arvind Kejriwal
Reason: Wanted the Opposition unity against the Centre’s ordinance on the control of bureaucrats in Delhi.
Second Meeting in Bengaluru on July 17-18
To counter the BJP in the 2024 general elections, 26 opposition parties forged an alliance. During the meeting, the coalition was christened INDIA, an acronym for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.
Upset: Nitish Kumar
Reason: Strongly objected to the name INDIA for the Opposition alliance.
Third Meeting in Mumbai on August 31-September 1
During this meeting, the alliance established five committees, including the Campaign Committee, Coordination/Strategy Committee, Media, Social Media, and Research Committee. Representatives from 28 opposition parties formulated strategies for the elections in five states.
Upset: Mamata Banerjee
Reason: Dissatisfaction with the failure to determine a timeline for a seat-sharing agreement.
Fourth Meeting in New Delhi on December 19
The fourth meeting of the INDIA bloc in New Delhi addressed various issues, including seat-sharing, a joint campaign blueprint, and devising a strategy to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Upset: Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar
Reason: Displeasure over the proposal of Mallikarjun Kharge as the PM candidate.
Published On:
Dec 19, 2023
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