Top on the agenda are discussions on seat sharing, crafting a joint campaign blueprint, and redefining the alliance’s strategy in the wake of recent electoral setbacks.With the political landscape heating up, this meeting is expected to be a key moment in shaping the opposition’s approach to challenging the BJP’s dominance.
The big picture
- With less than a year to go for the Lok Sabha polls, the opposition bloc INDIA will hold a crucial meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday to deliberate on seat sharing, a joint campaign blueprint and redrawing the joint strategy to take on the BJP after the setback in the recent assembly polls.
- The bloc, which comprises more than a dozen parties, aims to present a united front against the ruling BJP, which has won three consecutive terms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Historical context: INDIA bloc’s progression
This upcoming meeting marks the fourth gathering of the INDIA bloc, following meetings in Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The alliance, comprising 27 parties, has previously resolved to contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly.
Pressure points: BJP’s recent victories
The BJP’s triumphs in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have added pressure on the opposition to present a united front.
Strategy rethink: Beyond caste census
With the caste census issue not resonating as expected with voters, the INDIA bloc might revisit its strategy, seeking a more impactful narrative.
What they’re saying
West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said the INDIA bloc’s prime ministerial candidate will be decided after the 2024 general elections and expressed confidence that the alliance will iron out all issues, including over seat-sharing, to defeat the BJP.
She also dismissed suggestions that the alliance has lost time in putting things in order, saying “it is better late than never”. Banerjee expressed confidence that a three-way alliance is very much possible in West Bengal between her TMC, the Congress and the Left.
The Congress, after its defeat in the three states, should take lessons from it. It has to shun the Zamindari culture, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.
Bihar deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the committees that were formed earlier have been working behind the scenes and preparations were being made for the polls.
He said everyone in the opposition ranks will play its part and asserted that regional parties are very strong. “Wherever there are regional parties, the BJP is no where to be seen. Most of the regional parties are with INDIA bloc,” the RJD leader said.
The challenges
- Evolving a “core positive agenda”, seat sharing and a programme to hold joint rallies are among the main challenges before the opposition INDIA bloc.
- The parties intend to move forward with the unity theme – “Main Nahin, Hum” (We, Not Me) – as a counter to Prime Minister Modi at the meeting, a senior Congress leader has said.
- The key challenge before the leaders of various opposition parties, who have come together to fight the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is also to come up with an alternative common programme as a counter to the ruling dispensation.
- The immediate challenge before the INDIA bloc is also to build a consensus on having a convener, a spokesperson and a common secretariat, as it is a tricky issue due to differences among its constituents.
- Some parties like the Samajwadi Party and the DMK are likely to finalise their seat-sharing with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. However, West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab and Delhi continue to remain sticking points among the alliance partners, as none are ready to give in.
- With issues such as the caste census apparently not clicking with voters during the state polls, the bloc will have to find new ways to appeal to the masses.
(With inputs from agencies)