At the meeting, the name of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge was propped up as a potential prime ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc, considering the Dalit angle. However, no consensus was reached on it.
INDIA bloc leaders held a crucial meeting in Delhi on December 19. (File photo)
The Opposition alliance INDIA held its fourth meeting on Tuesday in Delhi. Among the many topics discussed at the meeting was seat sharing, on which constituent parties decided to work as soon as possible.
At the meeting, the name of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge was propped up as a potential prime ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc, considering the Dalit angle. However, no consensus was reached on it.
The parties arrived at a consensus on issues like the early discussion on seat sharing, countrywide protest against the suspension of Opposition MPs from Parliament and the role of EVMs, sources told India Today TV.
Here are the issues which were taken up at the INDIA bloc meeting:
SEAT SHARING
According to sources, the INDIA bloc leaders have decided on convening a seat-sharing meeting as soon as possible -- the first could be this week.
However, despite the efforts of some parties, no consensus could be reached on the convenor.
According to sources, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has proposed that the Congress, being the largest party in the bloc, should contest on nearly 300 seats in which it is in direct fight with the BJP.
In the rest of the seats, Congress should support regional parties, TMC proposed.
Parties, including TMC and Janata Dal (United), have proposed sealing the seat-sharing formula by December 31.
KHARGE AS PM CANDIDATE?
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee proposed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's name as the alliance's Prime Ministerial candidate, according to Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also backed the proposal.
However, Kharge tried to downplay his name being propped up, saying the focus of the INDIA bloc was on contesting and winning elections.
According to sources, the proposal of Kharge's name did not sit well with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav, who left the bloc meeting early and did not participate in the joint press conference.
Prior to the INDIA bloc meeting, Nitish Kumar’s party MLAs, as well as RJD leaders, publicly demanded that the Bihar Chief Minister be declared as the Opposition’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Notably, Lalu Yadav had also expressed support for Nitish Kumar earlier, stating that there is no challenge before Nitish Kumar.
SUSPENSION OF MPs
The INDIA bloc adopted two resolutions, including one condemning the suspension of MPs from Parliament.
"The MPs were raising a perfectly legitimate demand: that the Home Minister make a statement in both Houses on the extraordinary security breach that took place on December 13 in the Lok Sabha and on the role of a BJP MP from Mysuru who facilitated the entry of the two intruders," the resolution mentioned.
The INDIA bloc accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of acting in an “arrogant manner” and refusing the Opposition MPs’ demands.
“INDIA parties resolve to fight this authoritarianism with full might. Democracy is under assault, the Constitution is under attack,” the Opposition alliance said.
JOINT CAMPAIGNING
The leaders discussed about holding joint rallies to muster support for the Opposition alliance.
The opposition leaders discussed about going state-to-state to build confidence amongst the public and inform them about the alliance.
Some leaders also raised results of the recently held assembly elections and said the results could have been different had they campaigned together.
According to sources, JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar has proposed a big rally in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom day.
EVMS, RAM TEMPLE
On the EVMs, the opposition leaders discussed the need to press for VVPAT system so "if there is an element of doubt, people would be assured", sources said.
The INDIA bloc also adopted a resolution on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying that they submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, questioning the design and operation of the EVMs. But the poll panel has been reluctant to meet the INDIA delegation on this memorandum, the resolution mentioned.
“INDIA parties reiterate that there are many doubts about the integrity of the functioning of the EVMs. These have been raised by many experts and professionals as well. There is widespread demand for a return to the ballot paper system,” it said.
The Ram temple's consecration also cropped up at the meeting, with opposition leaders discussing that the ruling BJP could use it to influence people, as per sources.
Published By:
Ashmita Saha
Published On:
Dec 19, 2023
English (US) ·