INDIA Bloc Resolves To Fight 2024 LS Polls Together 'As Far As Possible'

Opposition bloc INDIA on Friday resolved to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together "as far as possible" and said the seat-sharing arrangements will be concluded at the earliest in a spirit of "give-and-take".

The alliance formally adopted a resolution with the campaign theme "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India" (India will unite, India will win).

"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," the resolution said. "We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to organize public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance," it said further.

Furthermore, the resolution outlined that the INDIA parties will synchronize their communication and media strategies, along with campaigns bearing the "Judega Bharat, Jiteega India" theme, catering to various languages. In a gathering held in Mumbai, leaders from several opposition parties convened to solidify their strategies. Following lengthy deliberations, they established a coordination committee to initiate seat-sharing discussions, set to commence by the end of September

Speaking at the occasion, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that the BJP can be defeated if all parties unite.

"Today, two very big steps were taken. If parties on this stage unite, it is impossible for BJP to win elections. The task in front of us is to come together in the most efficient way. Forming a coordination committee and the decision to expedite seat-sharing discussions are two steps necessary to ensure that the INDIA alliance defeats the BJP....The nexus between the PM and one businessman is for every person to see...I am confident that the India alliance will defeat the BJP," he said at the event.

The real work in this alliance is the relationships that are forged between leaders of this alliance, Gandhi added. "The past two meetings have done a huge amount of work to build rapport and to ensure that we all work as one," he stated.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that it is not an alliance of 28 parties but an alliance of 140 crore people."Modi government is the most corrupt and arrogant government in the history of independent India. We are reading in international papers that the government of India is working only for one person who is taking money out of the country....These people have started to think of themselves above God. 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 added.

As many as 63 representatives from 28 political parties attended the two-day conclave of the opposition INDIA bloc held on Thursday and Friday.

Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Party Chief Mallikarjun Kharge were some of the prominent leaders who attended the two-day event.