INDIA bloc's meeting concludes, resolutions passed; seat-sharing to be finalised soon

Leaders from various opposition parties within the INDIA alliance engaged in intensive discussions, beginning yesterday and concluding today, where they formally adopted a resolution outlining their election strategy. The theme they have chosen for the elections is "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India" (India will unite, India will win) in an effort to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.

"We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to 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," said the resolution.

The resolution also said that the parties will "organize public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance".

After the crucial third round of discussions, Bihar CM and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar said that The meeting (INDIA alliance) was conducted and everything went well.

"Everyone held a press conference and put forth their views after the meeting. It was a good meeting," Bihar CM said.

The next key meeting of the Opposition INDIA alliance will be held in the National capital, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule said after the conclusion of the third meet in Mumbai.

When NCP MP Supriya Sule was asked where the next meeting of the INDIA alliance will be held, she said, "In Delhi."

When questioned again about dates for the meeting, she said, "When do you (media persons) want it to be held, we will hold it on those dates."

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav when asked about the face of the INDIA alliance said "Question is not about the face. What is delightful is that everyone has come together. If people from different ideologies have come together, I think the name will also come forth soon."

After the meeting of the Opposition INDIA alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut announced the 14-member Coordination Committee and Election Strategy Committee, the 19-member Campaign Committee, INDIA, a 12-member Working Group for Social Media, a 19-member Working Group for Media and an 11-member Working Group for Research have been formed by the Opposition bloc.

The 14-member Coordination Committee and Election Strategy Committee includes KC Venugopal (INC), Sharad Pawar (NCP), TR Baalu (DMK), Hemant Soren (JMM), Sanjay Raut (SS-UBT), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Raghav Chadha (AAP), Javed Ali Khan (SP), Lalan Singh (JDU), D Raja (CPI), Omar Abdullah (NC), Mehbooba Mufti (PDP), one more member from CPI(M) to also be announced.

The 19-member of Campaign Committee includes Gurdeep Singh Sappal, INC, Sanjay Jha, JD(U), Anil Desai, SS, Sanjay Yadav, RJD, PC Chako, NCP, Champai Soren, JMM, Kiranmoy Nanda, SP, Sanjay Singh, AAP, Arun Kumar, CPI(M), Binoy Vishwam, CPI, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, NC, Shahid Siddiqui, RLD, NK Premachandran, RSP, G Devarajan, AIFB, Ravi Rai, CPI(ML), Thirumavalan, VCK, KM Kadar Moidin, IUML, Jose K Mani, KC(M) and TMC (to give name later).

Meanwhile, 12 members of the Working Group for Social Media include Supriya Srinate, INC, Sumit, Sharma, RJD, Ashish Yadav, SP, Rajeev Nigam, SP, Raghav Chaddha, AAP, Avindani, JMM, Iltija, Mehbooba, PDP, Pranjal, CPM, Bhalchandran Kango, CPI, Ifra Ja, NC, V Arun Kumar, CPI(ML) and TMC (to give name later).

A 19-member Working Group for Media includes Jairam Ramesh, INC, Manoj Jha, RJD, Arvind Sawant, SS, Jitendra Ahwad, NCP, Raghav Chaddha, AAP, Rajiv Ranjan, JD(U), Pranjal, CPM, Ashish Yadav, SP, Supriyo Bhattacharya, JMM, Alok Kumar, JMM, Manish Kumar, JD(U), Rajeev Nigam, SP, Bhalchandran Kango, CPI, Tanvir Sadiq, NC, Prashant Kannojia, Naren Chatterjee, AIFB, Sucheta De, CPI(ML), Mohit Bhan, PDP and TMC (to give name later).

Moreover, 11 members of the Working Group for Research include Amitabh Dubey, INC, Subodh Mehta, RJD, Priyanka Chaturvedi, SS, Vandana Chavan, NCP, KC Tyagi, JD(U), Sudivya Kumar Sonu, JMM, Jasmine Shah, AAP, Alok Ranjan, SP, Imran Nabi Dar, NC, Aditya, PDP and TMC (to give name later).

Moreover, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that it will be impossible for the BJP to win the polls if the parties unite as the INDIA alliance represents 60 per cent of India's population

"This stage (INDIA alliance) represents 60 per cent of India's population. If the parties in the state unite it is impossible for the BJP to win. The task is to come together in the most efficient way possible," Rahul Gandhi said.

He further said that today, two very big steps were taken, "Forming a coordination committee and the decision to expedite seat-sharing discussions-- are the two steps necessary to ensure that the INDIA alliance defeats the BJP."

"I am confident that the INDIA alliance will defeat the BJP. The real work in this alliance is the relationships that are forged between leaders of this alliance," he further added.

He further mentioned that the past two meetings have done a huge amount of work to build rapport and to ensure that we all work as one.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asserted that there is no conflict among the parties of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance.

"This is an alliance not just of some 28 parties, but an alliance of 140 crore people. I have been noticing that there are forceful projections of infighting which is not there. I have attended three meetings of the alliance. I am saying with full responsibility that all meetings have been held in a very cordial atmosphere. There is no conflict," Delhi CM said.

Delhi CM further said that no one here has come to get a post but to take India on the path of development.

"Some big forces will try to break the INDIA alliance. Today, no one here has come to get a post but to take India on the path of development. I am sure India will come together which will become the cause of this government's end," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray announced that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will work under the theme 'Judega Bharat, Jeetega India' to contest Lok Sabha polls, adding that the seat-sharing arrangements for the INDIA bloc will be initiated immediately for different states.

Elaborating about the resolutions passed in the third INDIA bloc meeting, Aaditya Thackeray said, "Today, INDIA parties passed three resolutions. One, we the INDIA parties hereby resolve to 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."

"Second, we the INDIA parties hereby resolve to organise public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance. Third, we the INDIA parties hereby resolve to coordinate our respective communications and media strategies and campaigns on the theme of 'Judega Bharat, Jeetega India' in different languages," he said while addressing the press conference after the INDIA bloc meeting.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said that PM Modi over the 2014 poll promise of bringing back the black money stashed in Swiss banks and claimed to deposit Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of the people of the country which never happened.

"...You must recall how they (BJP-NDA) came to power by lying and spreading rumours. They took my name as well as that of several other leaders' names that we have money in Swiss Banks. PM Modi said that he would come to power, get back money from Swiss Banks and deposit that money in the accounts of the people of the country. I too was lured by the offer...I didn't do the kind of evil corruption that is being done and facilitated by Narendra Modi," Lalu Yadav said.

"I was also lured by this offer and opened a bank account. With the number of people in my family, 11 such accounts could have been opened. Multiply that to Rs 15 lakh and a lot of money should have come to the family by now," Lalu said.

RJD chief further assured Rahul Gandhi that all parties will fight this battle unitedly.

"Every one of us wants to fully assure Rahul Gandhi ji that we will fight this battle unitedly and seat sharing will also be finalised soon," he added.

Moreover, Nitish Kumar said that Lok Sabha elections can be held before time. So, we all have to remain vigilant.

"Elections (Lok Sabha) can be held before time. So, we all have to remain alert and all the internal communications have been done," Nitish Kumar said after the INDIA alliance meeting.

He further said that the "Parties are working together unitedly. So, as a result of this, those who are at the Centre will lose. They will go away. Be assured," he said.

"You (media) are captive right now. Once you are free from them, you - the press - will be liberated and you will write and speak what you think is correct. This is very important...They want to alter the history of the country. Together, we will not allow them to do this," he added.

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam spoke on the INDIA Bloc Meeting and said, "The main motive of today's meeting was to discuss how to make India free from the PM Modi-led government. We have announced our agenda too in the meeting today."

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said that we will go ahead on the basis of the concrete situation.

"Wherever no adjustment is possible, a joint campaign will not be held there. Will the Congress party give up the contesting election in Kerala and handover everything to CPI(M)? It is not possible. We will go ahead on the basis of the concrete situation. We believe that there will understanding on the majority of the seats," he said.

"The INDIA grouping has caused nervousness among communal elements. The NDA was reincarnated at the time of the Bengaluru meeting. It was forgotten for 9 years. Two days before the Mumbai meeting, the prices of gas cylinders were slashed to lure people. Now, a special session of Parliament has been called without any announcement about agenda. These are signs that they are nervous...INDIA grouping will be victorious in saving the constitution, secularism and democracy of the country," he said.

Moreover, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that, "They (joint rally of INDIA alliance) will be held soon. You will also get to know about the cities where they will be held. They will be held in all those cities where there will be electoral impact. All real electoral issues will be raised."

"On the meeting of our alliance, senior leaders of the BJP used the term 'ghamadia'. This proves who is 'ghamandia'? They don't even like people coming together...I promise that we will not stop and we won't go on the wrong path...We will do everything to give a clean administration in the country..." NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on INDIA alliance in Mumbai.

Furthermore, CPI leader D Raja said that "People want BJP to be removed from the seat of power in the interest of the country and the future. So, the political parties are aware of this. They are responsible and very sensitive to the expectations of the people and people should not be taken for granted because there is discontent against BJP."

Attacking the central government for indulging in 'mitr-parivaarvaad', Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is getting stronger and moving ahead with unity the rival of the INDIA Alliance is getting worried adding that the opposition bloc is ready to fight against the tyranny of the Centre.

"The third meeting (of INDIA alliance) was held and day after day INDIA is getting stronger. As we are getting closer and going ahead step by step, INDIA's rival is getting worried. I had said that we are all patriots and our unity is the unity of patriots. We have decided that in the upcoming election, we will fight against tyranny," he said.

Uddhav Thackeray further said that the INDIA bloc will fight against the political gimmicks used by the BJP-led Centre.

"We will fight against all 'jumlebaaz' (political gimmick) and we will also fight against 'mitr-parivaarvaad'. I had said in Bengaluru that India is my family and we are all Indians.During election, I heard 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas'. But after winning the election, all those who gave 'saath' were kicked out and 'Vikas' of one's friends was done. We will not allow this 'mitr-parivaarvaad' go on," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray announced that the INDIA will work under the theme 'Judega Bharat, Jeetega India' to contest Lok Sabha polls, adding that the seat-sharing arrangements for the INDIA bloc will be initiated immediately for different states.

"Today, INDIA parties passed three resolutions. One, we the INDIA parties hereby resolve to 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," Aaditya said.

"Second, we the INDIA parties hereby resolve to organise public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance. Third, we the INDIA parties hereby resolve to coordinate our respective communications and media strategies and campaigns on the theme of 'Judega Bharat, Jeetega India' in different languages," he said.

Holding a press conference Bharatiya Janata Party slammed the INDIA bloc meetings and asserted that the alliance has no vision for the development of India, and their recurrent theme was to abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "In the third meeting of the so-called alliance, there was no vision for the development of India, no roadmap for the upliftment of the poor, no strategy to address concerns of farmers or women and children. The most important is that there was not even an acknowledgement of the threat to India from terrorism, radicalisation and successionist forces...Their only recurrent theme is to abuse Shri Narendra Modi ji..."

Meanwhile, Union Minister Piyush Goyal termed the INDIA alliance as 'anda' alliance and said "Ye INDIA alliance 'anda' alliance ban jayega"

Union Minister Anupriya Patel said that a lot of pomp and show of the meeting takes place, it is discussed a lot but we saw that a coordination committee has been formed.

"A lot of pomp and show of the meeting takes place, it is discussed a lot but we saw that a coordination committee has been formed. It is nothing big because all the parties have their representatives in it. But there is an old saying 'Zyada Jogi, Matth Ujaad' - the same is the situation at the INDIA alliance. As far as the seat-sharing is concerned, I think we can't see any solution to it. I think that by the time they find a solution, elections will have concluded," Patel said.

Union Minister Bhagwat Karad said, "INDIA alliance has different parties coming together...I don't think it will stay for long."

All top opposition leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, and Arvind Kejriwal and others leaders attended the meeting.

The third formal meeting of the opposition bloc INDIA alliance began on Friday with the aim of coming up with an action plan for the next Lok Sabha Polls.

The first meeting of the joint opposition was held in Patna on June 23 and the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. (ANI)