(Image source from: Twitter.com/INCIndia)
At the recent INDIA bloc meeting led by the Opposition, Mamata Banerjee put forth Mallikarjun Kharge as the potential Prime Ministerial candidate for the alliance, as shared by Vaiko, the chief of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, also expressed his support for this proposal.
During a press conference following the meeting, Kharge stated, "Our priority right now is to secure victory in the elections; discussions about the Prime Ministerial candidate can come later." The focus of the discussion during the fourth INDIA bloc meeting revolved around various issues, including seat-sharing, creating a joint campaign strategy, and devising a plan to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
During the press conference, the Congress leader mentioned that seat-sharing discussions had taken place in different states, and any conflicts between parties, such as in Punjab, would be addressed at a later stage. Sources have revealed that the Opposition alliance will commence its joint campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on January 30. Despite initiating discussions on seat sharing, the Trinamool Congress has expressed its desire for the finalization of the seat-sharing plan, particularly in West Bengal, by the end of the year, as per insider sources.
The Congress party should aim to contest around 300 seats where it directly competes with the BJP. Following the conclusion of the INDIA meeting, Kharge also announced that the opposition alliance would stage a protest on December 22nd against the suspension of MPs. "This is the first instance where 151 parliament members have been suspended in our country. We will strongly oppose this unjust action. We have come together to fight against it. Our protest against the suspension of MPs will take place on December 22nd," he expressed. The INDIA bloc meeting, initially scheduled for December 6th, had to be rescheduled due to the unavailability of key leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, and Arvind Kejriwal.
