The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc met in New Delhi on Tuesday,
December 19, to hold discussions on strategy for the way forward. The meeting was held against the
backdrop of mass suspensions of MPs from Parliament in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
Strategies for seat sharing in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and probable names for the
Prime Minister face were discussed.
MAMATA BANERJEE AND ARVIND KEJRIWAL PROPOSE KHARGE’S NAME AS PM FACE
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and AAP chef Arvind Kejriwal proposed the name of President of Indian
National Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, as the PM face of the alliance.
SENIOR LEADERS OF OPPOSITION ATTEND THE MEETING
Senior leaders including Mamata Banerjee (TMC) Sharad Pawar (NCP), Lalu Yadav (RJD), Nitish Kumar
(JD(U)), Sonia Gandhi (Congress), Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress), Arvind
Kejriwal (AAP), MK Stalin (DMK), and Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) were present in the meeting
yesterday.
The highlights of the meeting available to us –
Resolution passed to condemn the suspension of 141 Opposition MPs from the ongoing Winter
session of Parliament.
Holding of nationwide protests for the suspension on December 22.
Discussion on seat sharing at state level. Central leaders to intervene in case of a deadlock.
The message of unity will not resonate with the people if all top leaders do not come to show a
united front. Hence, attendance is imperative.
A total of 28 parties were present with several senior leaders.
The only party chief who skipped the meeting was JMM's Hemant Soren, who the party said
needed to be present at the ongoing Assembly session in Jharkhand.
After his name was proposed as the PM face, Mallikarjun Kharge said addressing the press,
“First we have to win and get a majority. Then, the MPs will decide democratically.”
Bengali