Amid rift within INDI bloc, Congress kicks off seat-sharing talks with allies in Bihar

Delhi: As the Lok Sabha 2024 election 2024 nears, the Congress has begun seat-sharing talks with other partners of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive (INDI) Alliance in Bihar, reports said on Monday, January 8. 

This comes after key-INDI partner, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar got upset following Congress’ ‘Kharge for PM’ call. Earlier, Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s name was proposed for the prime ministerial face of the Opposition bloc. The Janata Dal (United) has been pushing for Nitish Kumar to be the convenor of the opposition's alliance. 

On Saturday evening, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha arrived at the residence of Congress leader and convener of the Congress National Alliance Committee (NAC), Mukul Wasnik in the national capital. 

Congress National Alliance Committee members Ashok Gehlot and Salman Khurshid were also present in the meeting, said reports. This is the first meeting with RJD to discuss the seat-sharing formula for the state of Bihar. 

Positive discussions on seat sharing everywhere, asserts Khurshid 

"The discussion will continue with different parties as per their schedules. We are putting our knowledge about the seats in the regions and asking for their impressions so that we are more focused in the upcoming meetings. The meetings were good and the next meeting with AAP will be done tomorrow. There are positive discussions on seat sharing everywhere," Salman Khurshid said after the meeting. 

Congress tasks NAC to lead up to LS polls 2024

The Congress formed the five-member NAC, with Wasnik as convenor and veteran leaders including former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, former Union minister Salman Khurshid, and Mohan Prakash as members. The committee is tasked with examining various aspects of forming alliances with other political entities in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.

Formed with the motive to take over PM Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, the Opposition bloc has been struggling to arrive at consensus on the issue of seat-sharing among the 28 parties. The bloc last met on December 19, 2023 when it passed a resolution saying that the suspension of MPs from the Parliament was undemocratic.

(With inputs from ANI)