As per sources, JDU wants Nitish Kumar as the convenor which is also being opposed by the TMC (File photo of INDIA bloc)
This is the second such attempt to hold a virtual meeting as the previous attempt a few days ago did not materialise
The leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc are set to hold the crucial discussion on Saturday (January 13) regarding seat-sharing between the Congress and coalition partners for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In the virtual meeting scheduled at 11:30 am, the heads of at least 14 major parties of the alliance will also hold talks on strengthening the alliance and appointing a convener for the coalition.
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee will not be part of the virtual meeting on Saturday morning as she is “preoccupied with prior engagements”.
The pressure has also been mounting on the grouping to appoint Janata Dal (United) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the convener. As per sources, JDU wants Nitish Kumar as the convenor which is also being opposed by the TMC.
According to Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, discussions will also held on participation in the upcoming Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra– an outreach programme led by Rahul Gandhi–during the meeting today.
“INDIA party leaders will be meeting over Zoom tomorrow January 13th, 2024 at 11:30 am. They will review various issues like seat-sharing talks that have begun, participation in Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that will begin from Thoubal near Imphal day after tomorrow, and other important matters,” he said in a social media post on X.
Who Is Attending The Meet?
This is the grouping’s second such attempt to hold a virtual meeting, as the previous attempt a few days ago did not materialise. Among those now expected to be present in today’s meeting include heads of the Congress, NCP, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), AAP, RJD, CPI, JMM, National Conference, PDP, JD(U), Samajwadi Party, and the CPI(M).
Meanwhile, a TMC source said the party was informed about the meeting on Friday evening, and the West Bengal chief minister has some pre-scheduled appointments due to which she may not attend.
The TMC had also offered that the meeting could be held next week. The source added that the party remains committed to the INDIA bloc and defeating the BJP.
INDIA Bloc And Its Challenges
As many as 28 opposition parties have come together under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take on the BJP and defeat it in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The INDIA party, formed with the primary goal of challenging and defeating the BJP in the 2024 elections, faces challenges within the alliance, including the contentious appointment of a convenor.
There have been many issues within the alliance which are yet to be resolved, including that of appointing a convenor. Seat-sharing talks with members of the opposition bloc have also not been fruitful so far due to claims and counter-claims on the seats.
The sources said the leaders of the various parties would be meeting to iron out these differences and strengthen the bloc further.
Seat Sharing For Lok Sabha Polls
On Friday, representatives of AAP and the Congress held talks on seat-sharing arrangements in key states, including Delhi and Punjab. The meeting, held at the residence of senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, reportedly went well and both parties decided to meet again.
However, talks between TMC and Congress hit a roadblock in West Bengal. Earlier this week, the TMC signalled that it was willing to concede two or three seats to the grand old party, an offer which the state unit of Congress has already rejected.
