Opposition I.N.D.I.A. Alliance Unites for Lok Sabha Polls, Logo Unveiling Delayed
NEW DELHI: Putting up a show of unity, the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. alliance has decided to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls together, but with a rider "as far as possible." The alliance leaders expressed confidence that the Opposition bloc will defeat the BJP. Despite the united face put up by the alliance, the much-touted logo unveiling of the coalition was put off owing to the alleged differences among the allies.
Also, the appointment of a convener, along with the formation of the secretariat/election management, research wing, spokespersons, media and social media teams and committee for national agenda, were planned for the last day of the Opposition bloc meeting. However, there was little progress made on these issues.
The inauguration of the much-awaited alliance’s logo proved to be the biggest damp squib of the day, as some of the parties strongly objected to it, putting a spanner into the process.
"We were not taken into confidence while preparing the logo. This is an all-India alliance and its logo should be reflective of the national image. Hence, we thought that people’s suggestions should also be taken into consideration while making the logo," said G. Devarajan from the All India Forward Bloc.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray admitted that a couple of logos were kept ready. "But some of the parties insisted that people's opinions should also be invited for the making of the logo, which we found acceptable," he said.
On the concluding day of its two-day conference in Mumbai on Friday, the Opposition alliance passed a resolution saying that the member parties will "contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together as far as possible."
"Seat-sharing arrangements in different states will be initiated immediately and concluded at the earliest in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take," the resolution said.
The I.N.D.I.A. alliance has also decided to organise joint public rallies "at the earliest" in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance. It will coordinate communications and media strategies and campaigns on the theme of "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India" in different languages. Sources said that seat-sharing arrangements will be finalised by September 30 by the bloc coordination committee.
Speaking at the joint press conference of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that it will be impossible for the BJP to win the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections if the Opposition stays united.
"This stage represents 60 per cent of the Indian population. If the parties on this stage unite, it is impossible for the BJP to win an election," he said.
Gandhi also appealed to the Opposition leaders to "come together in the most efficient way possible". The bloc will demonstrate and prove the corruption of the ruling party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.
RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav said, "All the Opposition parties were sitting apart and the country paid for it. Modi benefited from this. I have been saying Bhajpa bhagao desh bachao (Drive out the BJP, save India). Now it is time for a seat-sharing arrangement. I assure you that it will also happen smoothly. We will make sacrifices if needed," he said.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said: "I.N.D.I.A. is not merely an alliance of 26-28 parties. It’s an alliance of 140-crore people. They have come together to construct the Bharat of the 21st century. The BJP-led government is the most corrupt and arrogant government the country has ever seen."
Thackeray appealed to all anti-BJP parties to join the INDIA alliance. "All parties and leaders are welcome. I want to thank them for the third meeting and INDIA is strengthening by the day," he added.
The meeting held in Mumbai on Thursday and Friday was the third joint meeting of the bloc. The first meeting was held in Pune, while the second took place in Bengaluru, where the name of the alliance was announced.
