During the concluding day of the Opposition unity meeting in Bengaluru, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge made an announcement that the coalition of 26 “like-minded parties” would be named INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance). Mr. Kharge expressed confidence in fighting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections collectively and achieving success. Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party, emphasized that the battle transcends the Opposition versus the Centre and is ultimately a clash between the idea of India and the idea of the BJP.
Prominent opposition leaders such as West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, and former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray described the second meeting as “productive,” following the initial one held in Patna. Mr. Kharge announced that the next gathering would take place in Mumbai, during which the participating parties would decide on the members of a coordination committee and select a convenor.
In contrast, the BJP organized a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprising 38 parties in the national capital. Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the NDA meeting commemorated the completion of nine years of the central government under PM Modi’s leadership.
