INDIA vows to fight together as far as possible with 'Bharat will unite, India will win' theme

Mumbai: The opposition's INDIA alliance wrapped up its third meeting in Mumbai with a commitment to contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election "together as far as possible."

The INDIA alliance, comprising various political parties from across the country, aims to present a formidable challenge to the ruling BJP in the 2024 general election. One of the key highlights of the alliance's resolution is the commitment to "coordinate respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme 'Judega Bharat, Jiteega India'- Bharat will unite, India will win - in different languages."

The resolution also alludes to seat-sharing arrangements, emphasizing that these will be "initiated immediately and concluded... in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take." This is a critical aspect of the alliance's strategy as it seeks to maximize its chances in the diverse and complex Indian electoral landscape.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's opposition to the political resolution due to its inclusion of calls for a caste-based census further showcased the differing priorities and agendas within the alliance.

While Bihar's ruling Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal, along with the Samajwadi Party from Uttar Pradesh, supported the inclusion of a caste census, it underscored the challenges of finding common ground on crucial issues.

One unresolved matter is the lack of clarity regarding a joint schedule leading up to the 2024 election, which is now less than a year away, and discussions about a logo for the INDIA alliance have not been finalized.

The alliance announced the formation of a 13-member cross-party "coordination committee" tasked with addressing issues such as a possible Common Minimum Programme and the complex problem of seat-sharing across the country. This committee includes representatives from a wide spectrum of parties, including the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and the Janata Dal (United), among others.

Sources also revealed plans for four additional committees, apart from the "coordination committee," to plan campaigns and rallies, handle social media, and manage data, indicating a comprehensive approach to the electoral battle ahead.

Furthermore, there were discussions of "action on the ground" on October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, in Delhi, suggesting that the opposition is gearing up for a concerted effort.

Despite internal differences and the ruling BJP's efforts to disrupt their unity, the INDIA alliance has managed to stay cohesive. The alliance's ability to present a united front to the press, even on contentious issues like seat-sharing, has been notable.

The mega opposition meeting, which was anticipated as a pivotal moment in India's political landscape, concluded with the release of resolutions and some dramatic moments. The surprise entry of ex-Congress leader Kapil Sibal added an unexpected twist to the proceedings.