'Kharge In Touch With Leaders Of All Parties': Congress's Jairam Ramesh On I.N.D.I.A. Seat-Sharing Talks

AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Kharge is communicating with all the party leaders to ensure closer coordination in the opposition alliance.

Jairam Ramesh said that the Congress leadership is committed to going the extra mile to accommodate all the allies.

New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday said its president Mallikarjun Kharge is in touch with leaders of all I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties as seat-sharing talks for upcoming Lok Sabha polls gain momentum.

AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Kharge is communicating with all the party leaders to ensure closer coordination in the opposition alliance, reported news agency PTI.

"Kharge is in touch with leaders of all parties of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc on how best to give structure to ensure closer coordination in alliance," Ramesh said.

The statement comes amidst speculation that the alliance might appoint a convener, with the name of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar doing the rounds for the post. There are also calls for establishing an office and appointing a spokesperson for the opposition alliance.

On seat-sharing, Ramesh said that discussions have started with all political parties, with some being in an advanced stage and some still in the initial phase. "Talks on seat-sharing with TMC in West Bengal and with JD(U) in Bihar are expected to take place in a day or two," he said, reported PTI.

"There is clarity among leaders on seat-sharing. Clarity is fast developing with all parties on seat adjustments," the Congress leader said.

He said that the Congress leadership is committed to going the extra mile to accommodate all the allies.

On Tuesday, the Congress held preliminary talks for seat-sharing with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party for Maharashtra and with the Samajwadi Party for Uttar Pradesh, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj spoke about seat sharing with Congress on Wednesday. He told ANI, "I am telling you formally, all speculations appearing in newspapers or TV channels are nowhere near truth. The discussions going on between Congress and us have been going in a very positive manner...The discussions are going on as responsible alliance partners."

"The efforts are to make the alliance strong. Parties' interests come second, first is national interest...The next meeting with Congress will be held soon. We are in contact...It can happen tomorrow or the day after depending on the availability of leaders on a common time," he added.

The opposition alliance is seeking to contest all Lok Sabha seats unitedly to take on and defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.