Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the INDIA meeting in Mumbai. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)INDIA Alliance Meeting Mumbai Live Updates: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday said that the Opposition’s INDIA grouping will hold a nationwide programme on October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. He added that seat sharing was not an issue within the bloc and discussions on the same will begin soon. Nitish further said, “I have had suspicions that they (BJP) want to conduct early elections as the opposition is uniting now…The Central government is scared.”
On Friday, the second day of its Mumbai meet, INDIA formed a 14-member coordination panel and said that they will soon be coming out with the seat-sharing formula among its members for next year’s Lok Sabha polls.
Row over One Nation, One Election: Amid the ongoing political slugfest surrounding the Centre’s latest proposal for ‘One Nation, One Election’, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the strength of the Opposition’s INDIA alliance is making the ruling government “nervous”. “We should be prepared for more attacks in the coming months, more raids and arrests due to this government’s vendetta politics,” he told the Opposition leaders.
Speaking on the feasibility of the “one nation, one election” plan, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said, "This is nothing new. I was a member of the Standing Committee that was formed in 2015. It was not implemented earlier.. the Congress government did not have the strength to do it. But Modiji has the strength and this should be implemented. Crores of rupees used in elections will be saved and new hospitals, roads, employment, airports and seaports can be developed from this money. And also before every election the NCC is in place and the whole year is spent like that.. bureaucrats don't work."
Setting the ball rolling on its party’s manifesto promise of working towards simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the country, the Centre on Saturday constituted an eight-member committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility of the “one nation, one election” plan.
Besides Kovind, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and former Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad are among the others appointed as the members of the committee. (Read More)
On Thursday, the government announced a special session of Parliament, its agenda undeclared and unknown. And on Friday, it set up a committee under a former president of India to examine the proposal of “one nation, one election”, long-discussed and still controversial. The two events may or may not be tied together — it may or may not be that the proposal to hold elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies simultaneously will come up in the special session of Parliament held from September 18 to 22. But both the sudden revival of a consequential and contentious political idea under the stewardship of an individual who occupied the nation’s highest non-political office, and the contrived uncertainty surrounding the special session, raise important questions. (Click here to read more)
The gloves are finally off for 2024. Now, till the voter chooses the next national government —either in the middle of 2024 as slated, or earlier, a possibility that cannot be ruled out — every political move is going to be more election-oriented than it has been so far.
The Opposition is pressing ahead with its unity moves. The Mumbai conclave of the INDIA alliance decided to go for seat-sharing in states expeditiously, and sharpened its attack on Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the surfacing of another report against the Adani group. (Read More)
Sweeping changes to the Constitution, new pieces of legislation, consensus among states and entering uncharted territory for post-poll complications: these constitute the key legal challenges ahead for the government as it works on implementing the idea of “one nation, one election.”
The first challenge in altering the tenure of the Lok Sabha or state Assembly to allow simultaneous polls is the constitutionally fixed limit of a five-year term. Articles 83(2) and 172(1) of the Constitution fixes a term of “five years” and “no longer” for the Lok Sabha and Assemblies respectively. There are few exceptions to the provision apart from the House dissolving prematurely when an elected government falls. (Read More)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday said that the Opposition’s INDIA grouping will hold a nationwide programme on October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. He added that seat sharing was not an issue within the bloc and discussions on the same will begin soon. Nitish further said, “I have had suspicions that they (BJP) want to conduct early elections as the opposition is uniting now…The Central government is scared.”
Reacting to the Union government forming a panel to look into the possibility of conducting simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): "An experiment is done before every big project, which is why we are suggesting that before conducting 'One Nation-One Election', the BJP government should conduct the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections together in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which has the most number of seats for both. On the one hand, this will reveal the extent of the Election Commission's capability and public opinion, as well as the BJP will also come to know that how the people are angry against the BJP and how eager they are to remove it from power."
Even as the Opposition INDIA alliance held its conclave in Mumbai over Thursday and Friday, the Maharashtra NDA held parallel meetings in the city. And even before INDIA came out with its resolution to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together, “as far as possible”, the NDA had already passed a resolution to do so.
The NDA meeting coincided with the Centre’s surprise announcement to hold a special session of Parliament between September 18 and September 22, with a buzz immediately starting on a possible legislation to bring in “one nation, one election”.
Broadly, the objective of the NDA meeting was said to be reinforcement of the urgency and necessity to put up a united front in the state, keeping aside individual aspirations and demands of the partners, and to work under the alliance banner with a single agenda: ‘Mission Maharashtra 2024’. Read More
A committee to assess the feasibility of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies set political parties abuzz on Friday as the Opposition targeted the BJP saying it was trying to distract from more pressing issues and the ruling party and its allies defended the proposal.
“India is the mother of democracy and our democracy is a mature democracy. There has been a long and rich tradition of discussing subjects related to the interests of the country. Right now only a committee has been constituted to discuss the topic of ‘One nation, One election’ and to know the opinion of the people. The agenda for the upcoming special session of Parliament will be shared with the nation soon,” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi tweeted even as BJP president J P Nadda visited former President Ram Nath Kovind who is likely to head the committee. Read More
Speaking about the Centre’s proposed “One Nation, One Election” plan, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says: “I understand the logic of saying that why do we want to have elections every six months here and there. They are arguing that it costs money and there is a Model Code of Conduct so there will be paralysis of governance for periods of time. We understand all those arguments but the counter is, that your diagnosis can be right but your prescription can be wrong. Your prescription cannot work in a Parliamentary system... There is no practical way in which you can implement such a system...”
The BJP on Friday took a jibe at the Opposition parties' INDIA bloc meeting, saying its only takeaway is that they have "formally and politically" accepted their give-and-take principle.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said in the third meeting of the "so-called opposition alliance", there was no strategy to address the concerns of farmers, women and children.
"There was no vision for the development of India, no roadmap for the upliftment of poor... third meeting of the so-called opposition alliance did not even acknowledge the threat to India posed by terrorism, radicalisation and secessionist forces," he said.
The only takeaway from the meeting held in Mumbai is that the opposition parties have "formally and politically accepted their give-and-take principle", the BJP leader said.
"Their only recurrent theme is abuse (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi as much as possible... Their only competition is on who exceeds whom in cursing and abusing Modiji," he added.
? “This stage represents 60% of India. If we unite, it is impossible for the BJP to win. Hence, we must unite in efficient way.”: Rahul Gandhi
? “We are moving towards dictatorship. PM Modi has announced a special session of Parliament without any consultation with any party. No such session was called when Manipur was burning, Covid-19 cases were rising or China was capturing India’s land.”: Mallikarjun Kharge
? “We were not together and Modi was going ahead. Since we were not together, the country suffered. Seat sharing will not be a problem. Even if we have to take a backseat, we will do so.”: Lalu Prasad Yadav
? “This alliance is not of 28 political parties but of 140 crore Indians who have joined in to create a 21st century India. When people are losing employment and salaries, the government is working for only one person. These people have started considering themself above God and that's the beginning of their downfall.”: Arvind Kejriwal
? “This is the third meeting. The INDIA alliance is getting stronger. The opponents are scared. We will fight against dictators and cronyism. We want to assure all that we have joined hands for a fearless India.”: Uddhav Thackeray
? “Those who gave power to the BJP are now unhappy. The BJP started criticising us just after the news of the meeting of our alliance. It proves, that after 10 years of being in power, the leaders do not have their feet grounded. I promise that we will not stop them.”: Sharad Pawar
Addressing the media following the Opposition’s mega meet, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the parties represented 60 per cent of India and it would be impossible for the BJP to defeat them if they came together.
“This stage represents 60% of India. If we unite, it is impossible for the BJP to win. Hence, we must unite in efficient way,” Gandhi said.
He added: “Two important steps have been taken here — the coordination committee and further sub-committees were formed. And, all seat-sharing talks will be expedited and completed. It will ensure that INDIA will defeat the BJP. PM and Adani are a nexus of corruption and the INDIA front will demonstrate it. We are going to present a clear set of ideas, which will involve farmers and workers of this country. Relationships forged between leaders of this alliances is more important. These meetings have built the rapport and ensure that we work as one. There is flexibility among leaders despite differences between us.”
Taking potshots at the Centre, Gandhi said that during his recent trip to Ladakh, the Prime Minister’s lies about China not taking away Indian territories was exposed.
“I spent a week in Ladakh where I went to Pangong lake where the Chinese are. I had detailed discussion with shepherds and common people around the lake. They told me that Chinese have taken Indian land. They told me that the Prime Minister is lying about the Chinese. The people of Ladakh feel betrayed by the government of India,” he said.
The senior Congress leader further informed: “There is a clear change on the borders. Shepherds told that they are not allowed to areas where they were allowed earlier. It is extremely shameful that this is happening and press is not reporting it.”
Rahul Gandhi, while speaking about his learnings during his recent trip to Ladakh, said: “I spent a week in Ladakh where I went to Pangong lake where the Chinese are. I had detailed discussion with shepherds and common people around the lake. They told me that Chinese have taken Indian land. They told me that the Prime Minister is lying about the Chinese. The people of Ladakh feel betrayed by the government of India.”
“There is a clear change on the borders. Shepherds told that they are not allowed to areas where they were allowed earlier. It is extremely shameful that this is happening and press is not reporting it.”
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the media following the INDIA bloc’s meeting in Mumbai, said: “This stage represents 60% of India. If we unite, it is impossible for the BJP to win. Hence, we must unite in efficient way.”
He added: “Two important steps have been taken here — the Coordination committee and further sub-committees were formed. And secondly, all seat-sharing talks will be expedited and completed. It will ensure that INDIA will defeat the BJP. PM and Adani are a nexus of corruption and the INDIA front will demonstrate it. We are going to present a clear set of ideas, which will involve farmers and workers of this country. Relationships forged between leaders of this alliances is more important. These meetings have built the rapport and ensure that we work as one. There is flexibility among leaders despite differences between us.”
Addressing the press conference after the INDIA alliance meeting, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav said: “We were not together and Modi was going ahead. Since we were not together, the country suffered. From the beginning, I have been fighting a battle against the BJP. It is Bharat Jalao Party, and it is turning out to be true. These people came to power after spreading lies about us.”
He added: “Seat sharing will not be a problem. Even if we have to take a backseat, we will do so.”
Addressing the press conference after the INDIA alliance meeting, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said: “This alliance is not of 28 political parties but of 140 crore Indians who have joined in to create a 21st century India. This is the most corrupt and arrogant government that India has ever seen. We have been reading that the PM Narendra Modi government is helping an individual to take money out of the country. This is nothing but sad to witness.”
He added: “When people are losing employment and salaries, the government is working for only one person. These people have started considering themself above God and that's the beginning of their downfall. Bigger powers will start working, trying to break INDIA now and there will be news about infighting. We are working together. Noone is here eyeing for a post. We have taken responsibilities, like seat-sharing, media, social media and campaign design.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, while laying out the roadmap of the alliance’s moves, explained: “First meeting in Patna was about setting the agenda. Then the second meeting happened in Bangalore. We all are again meeting in Mumbai. Our aim is to fight against inflation, price rise, unemployment. Modi raises Rs 100 and decreases Rs 2. The reduction in gas cylinder prices does not mean anything. It is fakery. Modi can never work for the poor. He works for big industrialists. It is important that INDIA wins to stop all of this.”
He added: “We will be working based on the resolutions that were decided today. We will be holding meetings in states. I have never seen the use of agencies the manner in which they are used today. Modi announced a special session without asking anyone. No committee was called. No discussion was held with others. Special session was never called when Manipur was burning, Covid cases were raging, China was capturing Indian land. I don't know the agenda now. We are inching towards dictatorship. Institutional corruption is a sign of the Modi government. The next meeting will be fixed soon.”
Following the resolution adopted by the INDIA alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said: “This is the third meeting. The INDIA alliance is getting stronger. The opponents are scared. We held deliberations on many issues. We will fight against dictators and cronyism. The battle is getting intense. We want to assure all that we have joined hands for a fearless India. The government's loot for five years and concession in election year will not be tolerated.”
The Opposition’s INDIA grouping, that has been brainstorming in Mumbai for the last two days, has formed a 13-member coordination panel whose members are: KC Venugopal (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), MK Stalin (DMK), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT), Tejaswi Yadav (RJD), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Raghav Chadhha (AAP), Javed Ali Khan (SP), Lallan Singh (JDU), Hemant Soren (JMM), D Raja (CPI), Omar Abdullah (NC), and Mehbooba Mufti (PDP).
The Opposition’s INDIA grouping, that has been brainstorming in Mumbai for the last two days, formed a 13-member coordination panel and said that they will soon be coming out with the seat-sharing formula among its members for next year’s Lok Sabha polls.
“We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together as far as possible. Seat-sharing arrangements in different states will be initiated immediately and concluded at the earliest in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take,” the resolution read.
It added: “We resolve to organize public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance. We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to coordinate our respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme Judega Bharat, Jiteega India in different languages.”
Calling the INDIA alliance a 'united front', Congress leader Kharge says that through the three meetings, the Opposition bloc has successfully held the government accountable both within and outside Parliament.
'Our strength makes the government nervous and which is why it has further bulldozed important bills in parliament, suspended our MPs on flimsy grounds, filed privilege motions against us, switched off our mikes, not allowed cameras to cover our protests and blatantly censored our speeches on Sansad TV,' he adds.
Kharge: 'Yesterday, Shri Rahul Gandhi held a Press Conference here and questioned PM Narendra Modi’s silence on alleged Stock Manipulation by Adani Group. He demanded a JPC probe into charges of round-tripping and reports of Opaque Investment from Mauritius-based company. It is unexplainable why the Prime Minister is not getting the matter investigated?'
- MGNREGA dues to Opposition ruled states are not being given, Kharge said. "Special grants and state-specific grants are not released as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission."
- "Investors are forced to move their investments and projects out of opposition-ruled states to states ruled by the BJP."
- "The BJP wants complete control on agencies and institutions - it is adamant about controlling the appointment of ED Chief, the CBI Director, Election Commissioners or even judges of courts across the country."
Further, Kharge said:
- "The communal poison that the BJP and RSS have spread over the last 9 years is now seen in hate crimes against innocent train passengers and against innocent school children."
- "It is no surprise that when people involved in gruesome rape are released and felicitated in one part of the county, it encourages horrific crimes and parading of naked women in the other. In Modi ji’s India, the wife of a Kargil brave heart is also not spared."
- "It is the BJP govt's apathy towards the marginalised that makes their leaders urinate on poor tribals and Dalits and the culprits are left to roam freely. States are being denied their share of the tax revenues."
Here's what Mallikarjun Kharge said addressing the press conference of day 2 of the INDIA Alliance meet:
- "The more ground our alliance gains, the more the BJP govt will misuse agencies against our leaders. It has done the same in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bengal. In fact, last week, it was done in Jharkhand and in Chhattisgarh."
- "Today every section of our society — be it the farmers, youth, women, the marginalised, middle class, public intellectuals, NGOs and even journalists — all have been at the receiving end of BJP’s authoritarian misrule. 140 crore Indians are looking towards us with hope to relieve them of their miseries."
Speaking at the third Opposition-led INDIA Alliance meet in Mumbai, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says:
"The success of both our meetings, first in Patna and second in Bengaluru, can be measured by the fact that the Prime Minister in his subsequent speeches has not just attacked INDIA but has also compared the name of our beloved country with a terrorist organisation and a symbol of slavery."
"It is a praiseworthy effort. On behalf of the people of UP, I express gratitude towards the PM for this," says UP CM Yogi Adityanath on the 'one nation, one election' move by the Centre.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said the strength of the opposition alliance is making the government "nervous" and INDIA bloc partners should be prepared for vendetta politics as there will be more "misuse" of agencies against them.
Hours after former president Ram Nath Kovind was on Friday tasked with the responsibility of heading a committee to explore the feasibility of “one nation, one election”, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, called the move a “conspiracy to postpone polls” in the country.
His MVA colleague and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said the unveiling of the logo of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) won't happen during the ongoing meeting of the grouping.
Talking to reporters here, Raut said, “We need fair elections which are not happening now. The ‘one nation, one election' proposal is a conspiracy to postpone elections.” Raut said the BJP government did not respect Ramnath Kovind when he was the president. “Now they are making him busy with a committee to explore the possibility of ‘one nation, one election',” he said.
The Rajya Sabha MP also questioned the need for a special session of Parliament, scheduled to be held from September 18 to 22, during the Ganpati festival.
“When regular sessions are on, the prime minister never attends the proceedings,” he claimed.
Raut alleged that the BJP-led Centre's “moves” were attempts to divert attention from the meeting of the INDIA alliance currently underway in Mumbai. PTI
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi said on Friday that there will be a discussion on 'One Nation, One Election' in Parliament. He termed the proposal an evolution of Indian democracy and asked why the Opposition was scared of it.
"There will be a discussion (on 'One Nation, One Election') in Parliament. why is the Opposition scared (about it)? Democracy is about evolution; India is the mother of democracy. This is part of evolution," Pralhad Joshi said.
"In this evolution every new proposal that benefits the nation will be discussed. For now, a committee has been formed and they will give their suggestion and then discussion will be held on the subject. There were simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies till 1967. Now there are polls every few months and it is a huge expenditure. This must be discussed," Pralhad Joshi said.
The government has decided to call a Special Session of Parliament from September 18-22 where it is speculated that the government could bring a bill on 'One Nation, One Election'.
However, the Parliamentary Affairs minister gave no indication of what was on the agenda for this special session of Parliament. Responding to questions from reporters he said "As far as the special session goes, I will discuss the agenda with you later".
The Union government has constituted a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of 'One Nation, One Election' which envisages the holding of general election and state Assembly elections simultaneously.
Sources said that the committee will explore the possibility of bringing legislation regarding it. A parliamentary standing committee, the Law Commission and Niti Ayog had earlier examined the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal and submitted reports on the subject.
The opposition INDIA alliance that is meeting in Mumbai has however opposed the idea of 'One Nation, One Election" being discussed in the house. ANI
First resolution from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA):
'We, the INDIA parties congratulate the entire ISRO family - present and past - for its outstanding achievements which have made our country proud. It has taken six decades to build, expand and deepen ISRO's capacities and capabilities. Chandrayaan-3 has thrilled the world, which is looking eagerly to the launch of Aditya-L1 tomorrow. We hope that the extraordinary accomplishments of ISRO strengthen the spirit of scientific temper in our society and give our youth the inspiration to excel in fields of scientific endeavour.'
The Centre has constituted a ‘one nation, one election’ committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, confirmed Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi today.
Amidst discussions and arrangements, Opposition leader stand for the photo session at the third INDIA alliance meet in Mumbai.
All Opposition leaders from about 28 parties of the anti-BJP bloc pose for the cameras. A 'Delegate Photo Session' was part of the day-2 schedule of the third INDIA alliance meet in Mumbai.
The attendees include Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, National Conference leaders Farooq and Omar Abdullah among others.
As per the program schedule, the logo was supposed to be unveiled at 10.30 am today, but has put off the plans for now.
All Opposition bloc leaders begin to arrive for day 2 of the INDIA Alliance meeting. The logo is expected to be unveiled shortly.
On reports of the central government forming a committee to explore the possibility of 'one nation one election', Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says: "The country is already one, is anyone questioning that? We demand fair election, not 'one nation one election'. This funda of 'one nation one election' is being brought to divert the attention from our demand of fair election."
Just before the INDIA Alliance is gearing up to unveil its logo, CPI general secretary D Raja commented on reports of the central government forming a committee to explore the possibility of 'one nation one election'. He said: "How can the government take unilateral decisions without consultation with political parties and Parliament?"
The government has constituted a committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of “one nation, one election”, sources said on Friday.
The move comes a day after the government called a special session of Parliament between September 18 and 22, the agenda for which is under wraps. Read the full report
Top leaders of the Opposition bloc INDIA are expected to give shape to their poll plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls on Friday as they gear up to take on the NDA amid expectations of an early election.
The leaders, who have gathered here from across the country, will deliberate on their strategy and 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.
Today is the second round of formal talks between them after which they will come out with a joint statement and will announce the coordination panel besides some sub panels to give proper shape to their poll plans.
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 Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) would also unveil its logo on Friday, even though there were no discussions on it on Thursday. PTI
Ahead of day 2 of the INDIA alliance meet, CPI leader Binoy Viswam speaks on BJP's criticism of the opposition alliance.
Posters of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde spotted near the venue of the INDIA alliance meeting in Mumbai.
Today's schedule:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, talking to the media about the happenings within the informal gathering of INDIA alliance leaders, said, "We have less time in hand. There is no time to waste. We need to be on the ground sooner," news agency PTI reported.
Here's the full schedule of the INDIA alliance meeting to be held on Friday.
Calling the INDIA meet in Mumbai “agendaless”, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that “even if 100 political parties come together under the INDIA front, they “would not be able to dislodge PM Narendra Modi’s good governance and goodwill amongst the people”.
The two-day meeting, comprising 28 political parties and 63 representatives, commenced in Mumbai on Thursday. Top leadership of mainstream and regional parties have come together ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“The fact is Modi lives in people’s mind and heart. When Modi has the people’s support, how can a group of parties dislodge him? Why only 28 parties? Even if 100 parties come together, they will not be able to dislodge the PM as long as he elicits support from the people,” explained the deputy CM.
Read the full story here.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday, while leaving Grand Hyatt hotel in Mumbai, said that the INDIA alliance leaders will hold a press conference tomorrow (September 1).
INDIA alliance leaders Thursday arrived at Grand Hyatt in Mumbai to attend an informal meet.
(Express Photos by Amit Chakravarty)
The third meeting of INDIA alliance leaders began in Mumbai on Thursday evening.
The heads of about 28 political parties have come together to attend the Opposition-led two-day meet, which aims to put in place the essential nuts and bolts of the anti-BJP alliance. The agenda includes unveiling a logo, appointment of coordinators and finalising the formal structure and architecture of the grouping.
The get-together of Opposition leaders — which is currently underway — will be followed by a formal sitting on Friday to take important decisions including one on seat-sharing.
Scenes from INDIA alliance informal meet, currently underway at Grand Hyatt in Mumbai.
(Video: PTI)