MUMBAI: The leaders at the helm of the recently established INDIA alliance, a coalition of Opposition forces, are set to convene for their third meeting in Mumbai this Thursday. Over the course of a two-day assembly, the alliance is expected to reveal a coordination committee and a distinctive logo emblematic of their unified front. Additionally, the forum is anticipated to establish panels entrusted with crafting a shared foundational agenda for the alliance, devising collaborative strategies for nationwide protests, and grappling with the intricate task of seat allocation - a pivotal and challenging endeavour.


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The forum's deliberations will also encompass charting a comprehensive joint action plan to confront the incumbent BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Moreover, the INDIA alliance is poised to unveil a secretariat in New Delhi, designed to facilitate seamless interaction among its constituents.


Gathering under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), 63 delegates hailing from 28 political parties will assemble at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1.


New Logo, Coordination Committee For INDIA Bloc


 


Chief among the topics under scrutiny will be the selection of an alliance logo and the establishment of a committee to streamline collaboration among member parties. The forum is also expected to weigh the potential appointment of a convenor and to outline a synchronized timetable for joint actions in the forthcoming 2024 elections.


Influential attendees including Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, along with RJD leader Lalu Prasad, have already converged in Mumbai. Distinguished figures such as Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Nitish Kumar, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi are slated to arrive today. A dinner event hosted by Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is set to bring all members together.


Speaking at a press conference, Sharad Pawar, a prominent figure in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), expressed confidence that the alliance will present a substantial alternative capable of instigating a political transformation in the nation. Notably, discussions concerning seat allocation within the INDIA alliance have yet to take place.


Asked about the alliance's potential Prime Ministerial candidate, Mamata Banerjee conveyed that "India will be our PM face. Our primary concern is to save the country." Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have advocated for this to be the alliance's concluding meeting, thereby enabling parties to focus on their respective states.


In parallel, the BJP-led Maharashtra government has declared a two-day meeting to review all 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.


Kharge's Name Likely To Be Proposed For INDIA Bloc Chairperson


 


Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, is reportedly being considered for the role of INDIA bloc Chairperson. The position of convenor, on the other hand, appears to be contested between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Sources suggest that four convenor positions are being proposed, with the Congress deferring the final decision to alliance consensus.


New Theme Song For The INDIA Bloc


 


In the realm of symbolism, a fresh theme song for the INDIA bloc is set to debut, with a focus on inclusivity and the spirit of the Indian Constitution's preamble. Addressing critical issues such as inflation, unemployment, and social harmony, the alliance is poised to adopt slogans such as "Mehengai ko Harane ke liye India," "Berozgari ko mitane ke liye India," and "Nafrat ki aag ko bujhane ke liye India."


A Coordination Committee consisting of 11 members is expected to be formed, steering the alliance's future course and shaping a common minimum program. Plans for a media cell and a social media cell are also in the pipeline. While individual party leaders may be touted as Prime Ministerial contenders, the overarching focus will remain on championing the cause of the common citizens against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


Sources suggest that the involvement of Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Admi Party will retain significance, even if the Akali Dal joins the alliance. With an overarching objective to challenge the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the united opposition aims to thwart the NDA's bid for a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.


This Mumbai meeting marks the third in a series of such gatherings, following the initial gathering in Patna on June 23 and the subsequent one in Bengaluru on July 17-18.