Shruti Suman
The competition for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has intensified, with both the BJP and the opposition coalition known as INDIA announcing strategy meetings this week. These meetings are scheduled to take place in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1. Here are 10 key points about this significant development:
Tomorrow, 26 opposition parties aligned under the INDIA coalition will convene in Mumbai to discuss their strategies for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, revealed that there is a chance that new political parties, particularly from the northeastern region of India, might participate in the two-day gathering.
One of the main topics on the agenda will be the distribution of seats for the upcoming elections. The opposition will also deliberate on the important issues they plan to address before the elections and the necessity for a coordination committee.
The first meeting of the INDIA coalition was held in Patna in June, followed by a second meeting in Bengaluru in mid-July. During the Bengaluru meeting, the coalition finalized its name: Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
In the upcoming Mumbai meeting, the alliance will unveil its official logo.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar emphasized that his efforts to promote opposition unity are not driven by personal ambitions. When questioned about speculations regarding his appointment as convener of the INDIA coalition during the Mumbai meeting, he expressed a desire for someone else to take on the role.
Leaders from the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction aim for this to be the final meeting of the opposition alliance, allowing parties to commence their individual efforts in their respective states.
The Maharashtra government, led by the BJP, has also announced a two-day gathering to review all the Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. Maharashtra holds a total of 48 Lok Sabha seats.
Initial discussions will be held over dinner on August 31 at the official residence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
On September 1, the Maharashtra government will conduct multiple sessions to discuss strategies for different regions within the state. Chief Minister Shinde, along with his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, will preside over the meetings.
