New Delhi: After extensive discussions, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress chief, has been selected as the chairperson of the opposition bloc, INDIA, according to sources. Although an official announcement is pending, the INDIA bloc, comprised of various opposition parties, aims to challenge the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Another contender for the top post, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, withdrew from consideration during today’s meeting, expressing the view that someone from the Congress should assume the leadership role. INDIA, which stands for ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance,’ underscores the unity among opposition parties to thwart the NDA from securing a third consecutive term at the Centre.
During the meeting, leaders emphasized the significance of maintaining national unity and preventing state-level disagreements from disrupting the alliance. However, the appointment of a chairperson is just one aspect of the challenges faced by the INDIA bloc, as they must also address the issue of seat-sharing among the participating parties.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party is expected to adopt a stern stance, given the Congress’s refusal to share seats in the recent assembly elections. The state party chief, Kamal Nath, declined to honor the central leadership’s commitment for six seats, leading to public disputes and the eventual removal of Kamal Nath from his position.
The INDIA bloc is also grappling with contentious discussions with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Congress, seeking four seats in Delhi and seven seats in Punjab, faces resistance from AAP, which desires a more significant share of seats in both regions. Additionally, AAP expresses its intent to contest in Goa, Haryana, and Gujarat, further complicating the seat-sharing negotiations, according to sources.
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