INDI bloc sets December 31 deadline for seat sharing talks | Deets inside

New Delhi: In a strategic move, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and several other political parties of the INDI alliance have jointly set a deadline of December 31 for the completion of all seat-sharing discussions, said TV reports. “It was a very successful, fruitful meeting. Everybody opened their mind and spoke, there was a little criticism here and there because we are 25-26 parties. The main focus was to finalise the seat sharing. A lot many things were discussed but everything can not be decided today itself. Seat-sharing discussions should be started immediately, that is what was discussed,” Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal stated. 

INDI alliance’s meeting’s agenda to finalise seat sharing 

Echoing similar remarks, CPI’s D Raja stated, “We should conclude the seat-sharing arrangement as early as possible, and we'll have to put up a strong collective fight against BJP.” 

He added, “There was a reference to the common minimum program. Now, it has been decided first to take up the issue of suspension of MPs because it is an onslaught on our democracy, it is an attack on our parliamentary system. So there should be protests across the country and the call has been given for a mass protest. We have given a call for mass protest across the country in all state headquarters on 22nd (December).”

Mallikarjun Kharge, PM face of INDI alliance?

INDI alliance partners today proposed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's name for the opposition's Prime Ministerial face.  TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal floated Kharge's name for Prime Ministerial face against PM Narendra Modi

Reacting to this development, Kharge said, “We have passed a resolution that suspension is undemocratic. We will all have to fight to save democracy and all of us are ready to do that. We raised the issue of security breach in the Parliament….will discuss the PM issue later.”

There have been two resolutions that have been adopted in the meeting: One, regarding condemning the suspension of MPs.  Secondly, the alliance plans to kick-start campaigning on January 30. Seat sharing will be based state-wise as Trinamool Congress. 

The committee formed will be looking at seat sharing. Meanwhile, Banerjee has set a deadline for December 31 for seat-sharing, which has been a contentious issue among the INDI alliance partners.

‘More meetings in future’ 

Later taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kharge shared what exactly conspired during the meeting. He wrote,“Today the fourth meeting of the INDI alliance was held. Leaders of 28 parties participated in this meeting and presented their views before everyone. Everyone came together and talked about strengthening the alliance and raising issues related to the interests of the people. Everyone has decided to hold 8 to 10 meetings together in the coming time, so that their message can be conveyed to the people. India will join, India will win.”