Leaders of the Indian National Democratic Integrity Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) are gearing up for their fourth meeting on Tuesday, December 19, in New Delhi at 3 pm. The alliance, comprising regional parties, aims to strategise for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, expressed confidence in the Opposition bloc's prospects for the polls ahead of the crucial gathering.
Former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav stated, "We have come together for the I.N.D.I.A. meeting. It (the alliance) has a bright future. We will win, and the I.N.D.I.A. alliance will form the government this time and uproot PM Modi's government unitedly."
Tejashwi Yadav, shedding light on the meeting's agenda, mentioned, "Everything will be discussed. The committee is looking after its work. We cannot publicly disclose what work is being done. We are doing whatever preparations should be done for the elections."
Tejashwi Yadav On Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's Role In I.N.D.I.A. Bloc
Responding to questions about Nitish Kumar's role in the alliance, Tejashwi Yadav emphasised unity, stating, "All have the same role and objective — to oust the ruling powers from power. Those who have enabled unemployment, poverty, and inflation; those who charged batons at farmers and labourers."
The I.N.D.I.A. alliance, comprising various regional parties, sees itself as a formidable force with strongholds in their respective territories. Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence, stating, "I.N.D.I.A. is one alliance, we will fulfill whatever responsibility is given to it. The regional parties are strong in their territories, and most of them are with the I.N.D.I.A. alliance."
Lalu Prasad Yadav also responded to the BJP's claims of Narendra Modi returning for a third consecutive term. "You people seem to have just one thing to say that Modi is going to come back (to power). If it is so, so be it... Please do not make a big fuss about Modi. We all in I.N.D.I.A. will drive him out of power," he said, as per news agency PTI.
On the other hand, responding to Prasad's statement, state BJP president Samrat Choudhary dismissed it, saying, "Lalu ji seems to be joking. He must have lost count of the number of times he has tasted electoral defeat. In Bihar, he is remembered for patronising criminals and indulging in corruption, which has resulted in his conviction in fodder scam cases."
“The RJD is at present enjoying power in Bihar not through legitimate means, but because of the treachery of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had contested the assembly polls as our ally, but betrayed the mandate. Both his JD(U) and RJD will be punished by the people of Bihar,” Choudhary added, as quoted by PTI.
The I.N.D.I.A. alliance aims to consolidate its strategy during the meeting, and the leaders are expected to discuss a collective path for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The alliance has held three previous meetings in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Patna in a concerted effort to present a unified opposition front.