I.N.D.I.A Meet Highlights: Oppn To Hold Protest Against Mass Suspension Of MPs On Dec 22
I.N.D.I.A. Bloc Meeting Highlights: Follow this space for all the latest updates on the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting in Delhi.
"The INDIA alliance has already ended and the Assembly elections in five states have already shown that. Congress, TMC and others are only together to save themselves and their families from CBI and ED," says BJP MP Locket Chatterjee on I.N.D.I.A. alliance meeting in Delhi. (PTI)
On asking if the BSP should also be a part of the INDIA Alliance, Party MP Shyam Singh Yadav tells ANI, "If you ask me, I will say very frankly, very clearly and very unambiguously that my party should also join the INDIA Alliance. This is my personal opinion. But the BSP supremo will do what she thinks, we are bound by her decision... It is my personal opinion that the BSP should be a part of the INDIA Alliance... There is no doubt that if all the parties contest together, we will be able to give a good fight (in Uttar Pradesh)..."
"They (INDIA alliance) won't win the (2024 Lok Sabha) elections, then there is no point in selecting a PM face," says Union minister Pralhad Joshi in response to a media query on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remark on INDIA bloc's PM face. (PTI)
BJP mocks Opposition bloc after Delhi meeting, posts: "𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐏 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆..."
"They (Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal) have tried to trap Mallikarjun Kharge in the 'chakravyuh' to oust Rahul Gandhi," Union Minister Giriraj Singh tells PTI.
On the suspension of Opposition MPs discussed at I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting, Union Minister Giriraj Singh tells ANI, "This was nothing but the fourth meeting of the photo session. Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar were not even present at the photo session, they boycotted it. What will become of that INDI Alliance? It is a total failure. They just eat, get photos clicked and leave..."
On the reports of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee proposing the name of Congress chief Mallilkarjun Kharge as the PM face of the INDIA Alliance, Kerala Congress leader PC Thomas tells ANI, "She did not suggest so. While she spoke, Mamata Banerjee said that it would be good if we could project a Dalit PM. She did not say the name of any person. The matter was not discussed much because she spoke last."
On the reports of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee proposing the name of Congress chief Mallilkarjun Kharge as the PM face of the INDIA Alliance, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says, "To take Congress forward, they did some experiments in the past and they succeeded in it. Whether they made PV Narasimha Rao or Manmohan Singh the PM. PV Narasimha Rao remained PM for 5 years, and Manmohan Singh was the PM for 10 years. But as soon as Sonia Gandhi put forward Rahul Gandhi, after 2009 everyone has forgotten everything. If he (Mallikarjun Kharge) has come back to strengthen the Congress again then it is a good thing. I will ask my Leader of Opposition too that if they want to keep the Congress alive in Haryana, then they should bring someone else, if they keep following Deepender (Hooda), then the situation here would also be like it is there (Delhi)..." (ANI)
"(West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee proposed that we (INDIA alliance) should project (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge as our PM candidate. However, Kharge rejected her point, saying there is no point in announcing a coordinator or our PM face. He said that we should decide about it only after the polls," says VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan tells PTI
After the I.N.D.I.A. meeting, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, "Yes, it (EVM issue) was discussed. A proposal was passed...We will raise the matter before EC..." (ANI)
INDIA bloc parties have decided to finalise seat sharing by second week of January, PTI reported citing Sources.
"Our priority is to win first. Who becomes the PM can be discussed later. If MPs are not there, what is the use of talking about the PM? We should first try to fight unitedly and bring majority," says Kharge in response to media queries on reports suggesting that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee proposed his name as the PM face of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. (PTI)
Seat sharing will be done at state level, if there is any issue it will be taken up at central level: Cong chief Kharge after INDIA meet
Whether it's Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Bihar, UP, Delhi or Punjab, issues on seat-sharing will be resolved, he added.
(PTI)
After the conclusion of the INDIA Alliance meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said "This is the first time 151 members of the parliament have been suspended in the country. We will fight against this, this is wrong...We have united to fight against this. We have decided to hold a protest against the suspension of MPs on 22nd December..." (ANI)
After the conclusion of the I.N.D.I.A. meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We have passed a resolution that suspension is undemocratic. We will all have to fight to save democracy and all of us are ready to do that. We raised the issue of security breach in the Parliament. We have been saying for a long time that Union HM Amit Shah or PM Modi should come to the Parliament and speak in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha about the issue of Parliament security breach, but they are refusing to do so..." (ANI)
After the INDIA Alliance meeting, RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "Discussions were held clearly. Seat-sharing, mass contact program - all of these will begin within 20 days...All decisions will be taken within 3 weeks." (ANI)
Congress Mallikarjun Kharge says, "In this fourth INDIA meeting, 28 parties participated. The decision to hold 8/10 meetings in the country has been made. We passed a resolution that if we want to save democracy, we all have to fight together. Our meeting lasted for 2/3 hours."
"28 parties participated in our fourth meeting and kept their thoughts before the committee of the alliance. It is a matter of happiness that a unanimous decision was taken on how the alliance should go forward," says the Congress president, as per PTI.
After the INDIA Alliance meeting, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "...All parties are ready to hit the ground after the distribution of tickets very soon."
He also says, "I have said from the first day that the strategy of INDIA Alliance will be PDA. We will defeat BJP...UP mein 80 harao aur loktantra bachao..."
West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee suggested Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as the Opposition's PM candidate. To this, Kharge responded saying that their focus should be on winning the 2024 Lok Sabha election. (Reporter: Jainendra Kumar)
When asked about West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee's suggestion at the INDIA Alliance meeting, MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) MP Vaiko says, "There was no opposition to that suggestion - Mallikarjun Kharge for PM face."
According to ANI, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that the I.N.D.I.A. campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha election along with the seat-sharing arrangement will begin soon.
"No (convenor hasn't been selected) yet," he told PTI.
"Wait for the briefing. But one thing I can tell you is that things went very well, very positive," IUML general secretary PK Kunhalikutty told PTI after I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting concludes in Delhi.
Discussion on the EVM in the I.N.D.I.A. meeting; Opposition MPs' suspension from Parliament was discussed, and criticism was expressed: Sources. A Congress parliamentary party meeting has been called for tomorrow morning at 9:30. (Reporter: Jainendra)
In the I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting, the suspension of Opposition MPs from the Parliament was taken up for discussion and condemned, ANI reported citing sources.
On the I.N.D.I.A. Alliance meeting, BJP MP Hema Malini told ANI, "That is their goal, don't let the Parliament function somehow and uproot Modi Government. They are working so hard for it, but they won't be successful."
CPI General Secretary D Raja told ANI, "This is a very significant meeting because the country is in multiple crises. Look at the way the Parliament is allowed to function. In order to save democracy and the Constitution, an alternative is needed. That alternative would be provided by the INDIA Bloc. This meeting is important. We will work out a strategy in order to fight collectively and defeat the BJP."
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi at the I.N.D.I.A. meeting in Delhi.
"It will not make any effect because after the victory of BJP in three states (Rajasthan, MP, and Chhattisgarh), these INDI alliance partners are confused about what they should do. Anyway, people of India have realised that other than BJP and PM Modi, there is no one who could protect the Indians and take India forward," says BJP leader Agnimitra Paul on meeting of the I.N.D.I.A. alliance in Delhi. (PTI)
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla hits out at I.N.D.I.A. meeting taking place in Delhi saying, "On one hand there is mission and vision in 'Modi ki guarantee' & on the other hand we see pictures where people who have always fought each other are today holding hands and bringing their parties together but their hearts are not coming together. On one side, there is mission and vision of of BJP & Narendra Modi while on the other side there is guarantee of commission, guarantee of corruption, guarantee of division, guarantee of family-run dynasty profession, guarantee of 'apna apna ambition' and guarantee of disruption even in Parliament. Elections were held between the two options in the five states recently..." (ANI)
Before going to the meeting of the I.N.D.I.A. coalition, Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said that discussions on seat-sharing will take place, "I hope the meeting will be very productive".
-- Deepak Rawat
Meeting of opposition INDIA bloc begins in Delhi, PTI reported.
The meeting of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc is to begin shortly in Delhi.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar arrives at Ashoka Hotel in Delhi to attend the I.N.D.I.A. alliance meeting, PTI reported. Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann arriveD for the Alliance meeting earlier.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, NCP (Pawar) leaders Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule arrive at Ashoka Hotel in Delhi to attend the fourth meeting of the I.N.D.I.A. alliance meeting, PTI reported.
RJD supremo Lalu Yadav, along with party leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha, arrived earlier.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal leaves from his residence to attend the meeting of the INDIA alliance.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti arrives in Delhi ahead of the INDIA Alliance meeting scheduled for today.
Opposition leaders, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress' Jairam Ramesh, arrive for the INDIA Alliance meeting.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "In today's meeting, we will discuss various things...We need a coordinator, the coordinator doesn't need to go on to lead the alliance."
Posters featuring Bihar CM Nitish Kumar that read 'Agar sach mein jeet chahiye toh fir ek Nischay aur ek Nitish chahiye', were put up ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting, in Delhi.
On INDIA bloc meeting, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay says, "The work on seat-sharing should start as soon as possible. Three meetings have been held but there have been no gains till now. Today's meeting should be results-oriented. With the meeting, the alliance should be able to give a message to the public that it can fight and defeat BJP."
On I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting today, JMM leader Manoj Pandey says, "The ongoing Assembly session is an important one and the CM (Hemant Soren) must be present for it. The party has appointed a high-level representative panel including 2 MPs who will attend the meeting and keep the party's stand before the alliance."
On INDIA block meeting today, AAP leader & Delhi Minister Atishi says, "In the meeting today important points like like seat-sharing and others will be discussed. AAP & Arvind Kejriwal will make every possible effort to make INDIA alliance a success."
The opposition coalition I.N.D.I.A. is set to hold a major conference in Delhi today to discuss seat distribution, a single campaign blueprint, and redrawing the united strategy to take on the BJP following the recent assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee , Uddhav, Lalu and various other leaders have arrived in the national capital for the opposition meeting.
Background
I.N.D.I.A. Bloc Meeting Highlights: Hello and welcome to our live blog on the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc meeting in Delhi. Follow this space for all the latest updates. As the countdown begins for the looming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the opposition consortium I.N.D.I.A. is set to convene a pivotal meeting to discuss seat allocation, a joint campaign plan, and reassess its collective strategy following setbacks in recent assembly polls.
Scheduled at the Ashoka Hotel in Delhi, the meeting aims to streamline the I.N.D.I.A. bloc's approach against the BJP.
A day before the crucial gathering, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee addressed the media, affirming that the bloc's prime ministerial candidate would be decided post the 2024 general elections, news agency PTI reported. She expressed confidence in resolving all issues, including seat-sharing, within the alliance to counter the BJP effectively. Banerjee dismissed concerns about the alliance's timing, stating, "It is better late than never." The TMC leader also hinted at the possibility of a three-way alliance in West Bengal between TMC, Congress, and the Left.
Banerjee responded to questions regarding the BJP's rising influence, stating, "The BJP is not strong; we are weak. We need to work together to overcome it", as quoted by PTI. She added that she is ready to campaign for alliance partners across the country. In a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, she discussed the prevailing political situation.
Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, also present at the meeting, highlighted the behind-the-scenes efforts of committees formed earlier and affirmed preparations for the upcoming polls. Yadav emphasized the strength of regional parties within the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, asserting that wherever regional parties exist, the BJP's presence diminishes.
Responding to queries about Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's role, Yadav stated that everyone in the opposition shares the same objective – to oust divisive forces from power. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray arrived in Delhi for the bloc's meeting.
The key challenges before the I.N.D.I.A. bloc include evolving a positive agenda, determining seat distribution, and planning joint rallies. The opposition leaders are also tasked with crafting an alternative common programme to counter the ruling dispensation. Another challenge is reaching a consensus on appointing a convener, spokesperson, and establishing a common secretariat due to differences among the alliance constituents.
The recent BJP victories in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have heightened the pressure on opposition parties to present a unified front as they gear up for the electoral battle in 2024.
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