28 parties to attend INDIA bloc’s Mumbai meeting, Uddhav says Oppn has many choices for PM face

Opposition alliance may hammer out a common minimum programme at 2-day meet, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar at press briefing. Regional equations also on agenda.

 The stage is set for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’s (INDIA) third meeting beginning Thursday in which representatives from 28 political parties will discuss seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha election, a common minimum programme, a coordinating committee and regional dynamics.

The two-day Mumbai meeting will be crucial as the newly minted opposition alliance will discuss the role of regional parties, especially in the backdrop of the recent split in the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The opposition bloc will also unveil its logo which will help the constituent parties to connect with the electorate.

“I have full faith that an alternative forum will be created in the country, which will become strong for the changes that have to be made in the country. And we will do the same thing,” NCP president Sharad Pawar said at a joint press briefing with Maha Vikas Aghadi partners — the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction.

Sixty-three delegates from 28 parties will be attending the meet, he said.

“Regional equations will also have to be taken care of. Also those who are not a part of the INDIA bloc yet, but are against the BJP, we will have to weigh our options and need to look at the regional dynamics,” Pawar added.

At the press meet, Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) asserted that the bloc has a common objective of protecting democracy. “We have many choices for PM candidates. But what choice does the BJP have, except one,” he said, taking a swipe at PM Narendra Modi.

“The Centre has slashed LPG prices by Rs 200 and this is because of our meeting. In the last nine years, they didn’t remember to gift sisters on Raksha Bandhan but since our meeting is happening, they are pressured to reduce the prices,” Thackeray said.

On Thursday evening, the opposition alliance will unveil the INDIA logo followed by the dinner hosted by Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray. The next day, the leaders will meet in the morning to discuss their agenda, including the line of campaign for the Lok Sabha election.

“The seat-sharing formula will have to be discussed on the regional-level as well as national-level. It has to be done carefully taking into consideration the state-wise conditions,” a Shiv Sena (UBT) insider 

“Besides, we also need to decide if we are going ahead with one single coordination committee or not, and, if so, who will lead it and what will be the structure of this committee. All of this is a part of the agenda.”

In the backdrop of the splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP, the delegates will also discuss the issues of various regional parties and how the BJP is targeting them in various states.

“We would want this to be the last such meeting and, henceforth, the alliance partners should start taking action in their respective states and launch an aggressive campaign against the BJP,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader mentioned above said.