INDIA Alliance Vows to Contest 2024 Elections Together Amid Questions on Unity

New Delhi, Sep 01, 2023: In a bid to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s potential third term in office, the opposition’s INDIA alliance has concluded its Mumbai meeting with a resolve to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election “together as far as possible.” However, the wording of their resolution has spurred questions regarding the unity of the opposition alliance.

The resolution also outlined plans to “coordinate respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme ‘Judega Bharat, Jiteega India’ in different languages.” It alluded to possible seat-sharing arrangements, but in cautious language, stating that these will be “initiated immediately and concluded… in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take.”

Despite some apparent discord, with Mamata Banerjee opposing a caste-based census, the alliance announced a 13-member cross-party “coordination committee” to tackle issues such as a Common Minimum Programme and seat-sharing.

While details like a logo and a joint schedule remain undisclosed, four other committees are reportedly being planned to handle campaign planning, rallies, social media management, and data handling. There is also anticipation of “action” on October 2, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, in Delhi.

The “coordination committee” will comprise representatives from various parties, making it INDIA’s highest decision-making body. So far, the alliance has maintained its unity, even in potentially challenging areas like seat-sharing.

This meeting follows the center’s call for a special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22, with speculation surrounding its agenda, including the BJP’s controversial “one nation, one election” proposal.

The INDIA alliance appears determined to present a formidable challenge to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance as they prepare for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, despite lingering questions about their unity.