NDA vs INDIA: Opposition renames alliance from UPA to INDIA ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Leaders of the opposition parties have decided to name their alliance INDIA which stands for ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’ on Tuesday, July 18, at the ongoing meeting in Bengaluru city of India's southern Karnataka state, announced Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge at a press conference. 

Earlier, the new name of the opposition alliance had been revealed in tweets by leaders of opposition parties RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Leaders from 26 opposition parties that are in power in Delhi and 10 other states — individually or in alliance — gathered in Bengaluru for a two-day meeting starting Monday  to discuss a strategy to take on the Narendra Modi-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Chak De, INDIA

As news trickled about the name being under consideration, Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore said on Twitter, "INDIA will win."

"Chak De! INDIA," tweeted Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien even as the meeting was underway.

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As per people aware of the matter, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had mooted the name for the grouping at the meeting in Patna last month. However, certain reports said, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal suggested the name, while others suggested that former Lok Sabha member Rahul Gandhi is behind the catchy name.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Rajya Sabha MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi too confirmed the alliance name on Twitter. In a tweet, she wrote "So 2023 will be Team INDIA Vs Team NDA".

Who will head the alliance?

Quoting sources, NDTV reported that former UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is slated to be named the president of the alliance, while Bihar Chief Minister will be the convener.

It also reports that some left parties were not in favour of calling it an 'alliance' and wanted that to be changed to 'Front'. 

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Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge confirmed the that their alliance will be called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

He added that the next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai. The date of the meeting is yet to be announced. Kharge revealed that an 11-member coordination committee will be set up, the names of committee members will be announced during the Mumbai meeting.

Saving India

Speaking at the sidelines of the multi-party meeting, many opposition leaders hit out at ruling BJP part and said that the alliance is aimed at saving the country, democracy and the Constitution. They alleged the country's democracy was being "played with" under the BJP government and there was a need to protect the "idea of India".

AAP leader Kejriwal stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his chance to rule India for 10 years and has made a complete mess of almost every sector.

"He has fuelled hatred amongst the people, the economy is in shambles, inflation is at its peak, and there is unemployment in all sectors. It is time for the people of India to get rid of him, so all the like-minded parties are coming together," he said.

Meme fest

The announcement has led to a flurry of memes on Twitter and other social media websites. Many are comparing the new alliance name to the quintessential scene from Bollywood film Chak De India where actor Shahrukh Khan's character teaches his hockey players an important lesson on nationalism and pushes them to victory.

In his address on Tuesday, Congress president Kharge said his party is not interested in the Prime Minister’s post but in protecting the idea of India, the Constitution, secularism, and democracy. Kharge said there are differences among them at the state level but they can be put aside for the sake of protecting the people.

“...differences are not so big that we can’t overcome them for the benefit of common people who are suffering inflation. We can set aside our differences for the youth who are suffering from unemployment and for the poor, the Dalit, tribals, and the minorities whose rights are being crushed.”

The previous opposition alliance, the UPA had around 20 parties.

Kharge said the 26 parties attending the meeting have substantial political strength as they govern 11 states. 

The ruling National Democratic Alliance also held a meeting on Tuesday. The parallel meetings mark the return of coalition politics to the centre stage once again before the general elections due next year.

(With inputs from agencies)

 

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