INDIA Bloc Agrees In Principle To Appoint Mallikarjun Kharge As Convenor; Regional Leaders To Play Key Role

During the Mumbai conclave of the opposition alliance, the Congress party strongly advocated for Mallikarjun Kharge, the party president, to be the convenor of INDIA, a proposal that was agreed upon in principle by the other parties.

They also proposed the formation of an 11-member panel consisting of leaders from regional parties.

Additionally, there will be committees organised based on regions and states, which will coordinate with each other, according to the New Indian Express, citing a senior leader. They are looking at devising the strategy in a manner that avoids any conflict of party interests.

The INDIA bloc held a dinner meeting at Hotel Grand Hayat to establish a common minimum agenda, select a convenor, and form various committees.

The meeting was attended by 63 delegates from 28 political parties, including former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also attended the dinner.

The bloc's sub-committees, such as the draft committee for the common minimum agenda, will consist of individuals who understand policies. However, representation will also be given to members from other minor parties.

Additionally, there will be committees for election strategy, resource funding, media, and more, a senior leader told the newspaper.

The unveiling of the INDIA bloc's logo was delayed from Thursday to Friday due to suggestions from some partners. The Congress party has reportedly requested the incorporation of successful welfare schemes from the Karnataka and Delhi elections.

The common minimum agenda includes promises such as addressing inflation, generating employment, providing farm loan waivers, offering financial aid to poor women, and implementing special welfare measures for SC/STs.

It was decided reportedly that contentious issues like seat-sharing and fundraising would be addressed at a later stage.

The fact that opposition leaders, who have often clashed, have come together at the dinner table three times has created a sense of camaraderie, according to another senior leader.

"We have to keep aside our ego, else 2024 Lok Sabha election will be the last election,” the leader said.