'Can NDA Challenge 'INDIA'?: Oppn Alliance Gets a Name; 11-Member Panel in Works

The second day of talks among 26 Opposition parties concluded in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 18 July, with the new alliance being named 'INDIA' or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

(Photo: PTI)

The second day of talks among 26 Opposition parties concluded in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 18 July, with the new alliance being named 'INDIA' or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

"Everybody has agreed to have one name for the alliance. Earlier, we were called the UPA. Now we will be called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance - INDIA," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Here are a few glimpses of the meeting:

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shakes hands with NCP chief Sharad Pawar as Bihar CM Nitish Kumar looks on, during the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

(L-R) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TR Baalu, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, J&K National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, and others, during the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and NCP chief Sharad Pawar at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, JKNC leader Omar Abdullah, and Congress leader KC Venugopal at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

RLD chief Jayant Choudhary, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, and other leaders at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha are also seen.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee during the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar welcomes West Bengal CM and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and other leaders at the Opposition parties' meet, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, 18 July.

Key Decisions Made in the Meeting

(Video Producer/Editor: Shohini Bose)

In a joint press conference with leaders from other political parties, Kharge said that "together, we will solve many problems of the country," adding that an 11-member coordination committee will be set up soon.

"The next meeting will be held in Mumbai where the 11 committee members will be elected," he said.

A joint resolution was also drafted by the 26 parties, which "resolves to save the democratic fabric of India."

Kharge added: "One secretariat will be set up for campaign management and other committees will be set up in Delhi for specific issues since it is the capital and it is convenient for everybody."

Speaking about seat-sharing in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he added that the 11-member committee and leaders of the member political parties will discuss and come to a consensus.

What the Joint Resolution Says

The resolution talks about the violence in Manipur, the role of Governors and LGs in non-BJP ruled states, demonetisation, crime against women, among other subjects.

"We pledge to present to the nation an alternative political, social and economic agenda. We promise to transform both the substance and style of governance that will be more consultative, democratic and participative," the resolution said.

"The role of Governors & LGs in non-BJP ruled states has exceeded all constitutional norms. The brazen misuse of agencies by the BJP government against political rivals is undermining our democracy. Legitimate needs, requirements and entitlements of non BJP ruled states are being actively denied by the Centre," it added.

Why the Alliance Is Called INDIA: Oppn Leaders Explain

Speaking at the joint press conference, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said: "The country's voice is being muffled. This is the fight for the country's voice and that is why this name was chosen - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, INDIA. This is a fight between BJP and India, Narendra Modi and India, their ideology and India," he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee asked the BJP-led NDA if it can challenge INDIA.

"The real challenge has already started. The alliance of 26 parties decided a name. The government's only job is to buy and sell governments. That is why, we have unitedly decided on the name INDIA. NDA, can you challenge INDIA? Can the BJP challenge INDIA?"

Taking to Twitter, TMC leader Derek O'Brien said, "Chak De! INDIA," referring to the new alliance.

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments about dynasty politics, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said: "Kharge ji has announced the name - INDIA. But we hope to take India forward. They said that the ideologies don't match, but politics is supposed to have different ideologies. Some people are accusing us of fighting for our families, but the country is our family."

Shiva Sena (UDT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also tweeted, "So 2024 will be Team INDIA Vs Team NDA Chak De, INDIA!"

Meanwhile, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said, "The country elected Narendra Modi nine years ago. He could have done a lot for the country. But there is not one sector that has not been made a mess of. They have destroyed economy, railways; sold the airports, ships, the sky, and the earth. Every man is disappointed in this country," he said.