Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc hold crucial talks to strategise on 2024 LS polls

Top leaders of the Opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A on Friday started crucial discussions to give structure to their cooperation and crystallise their plans about seat sharing and a common agenda to take on the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, amid rumours of early elections and the formation of a panel to explore the possibility of one nation, one election.

During the formal talks in the third round of opposition meeting, the opposition leaders are likely to come out with a joint statement and announce the coordination panel besides some sub panels to give proper shape to their poll plans. Leaders, who have gathered here from across the country, will move forward on specific issues like setting up a coordination committee and form sub groups to work on their common agenda, media strategy, joint actions and programmes.

During informal talks over dinner on Thursday night, the leaders stressed on the urgency to finalise seat sharing and come out with a joint agenda in a few weeks’ time, sources said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has asked leaders of various parties  to give one name from their respective parties for being part of the coordination committee.  The sources added that the opposition grouping should have a team of spokespersons who would speak on behalf of the alliance. They will also discuss issues relating to having a convenor for the bloc.

It was decided that a coordination committee will be formed after discussions, along with at least four sub-groups which include one to plan the joint agenda of the alliance, another on preparing the action plan and handling social media, and one on research and data analysis to take on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).