The third meeting of the Opposition Front India is to be held in Mumbai on August 31, for which preparations are almost complete. A total of 6 issues will be presented, on which efforts will be made to reach consensus with all.
According to sources, 3-4 logos have been prepared for the India alliance and it has been sent to all the leaders. The joint flag of the alliance can also be discussed in the meeting. Some leaders say that the alliance should also have a joint flag. The Responsibility of lunch for the leaders attending the Mumbai meeting is on the Congress, while the dinner will be hosted by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar have taken stock of the preparations so far. A day before the meeting, Pawar-Uddhav will hold another meeting.
What will happen at India’s Mumbai meeting??
1. The seat-sharing formula will be decided – The biggest challenge of the opposition front is seat sharing. The seat-sharing formula in states like Punjab, Delhi, UP and Bengal has not been decided yet.
The issue of seat-sharing was raised by the AAP at the Bengaluru meeting itself, but it was postponed till the Mumbai meeting.
The demand for smaller parties is high for seat sharing. Regional parties say that in states where the Congress does not have a direct fight with the BJP, the party should play the role of a younger brother. Three seat-sharing formulas have emerged in the IDNIA alliance so far.
The seat which currently has MPs will get that seat. The parties that came second in 2014 and 2019 will get preference in that seat.
In states where the Congress is weak, the seat-sharing formula will be decided by the regional parties.
In 9 states including Assam, Telangana, Karnataka, the driving seat will be held by the Congress, that is, the decision on seat sharing here has to be taken by the Congress.
2. Names of coordination committee members final: A coordination committee of 11 members is proposed to be formed to run the coalition smoothly. The names of its members will be finalized in the Mumbai meeting. The committee will also have a chairman and a convenor.
Nitish Kumar’s name is at the forefront for the convenor. Sonia Gandhi’s name is being discussed for the chairman’s post. The headquarters of the committee will be in Delhi and the post of convenor will be the most powerful. The convenor will resolve all the disputes of the alliance.
There is also talk of forming 2-3 sub-committees, which will work to organize manifestos and sit-in demonstrations. The names of its members are also discussed to be finalized in the Mumbai meeting.
Rajya Sabha MPs of opposition parties can get preference in the manifesto committee.
3. The 2024 manifesto will also be discussed – how the manifesto will be released in 2024 will also be discussed, some leaders say that the manifesto should also be released according to the state, so that the regional parties of the state can directly reach their people.
State-wise issues to be given priority in the manifesto will also be discussed in the Mumbai meeting. A last-ditch effort will be made to get the consent of all parties on the caste census. This could be the biggest issue of the India alliance.
India’s strategy is also to counter the BJP’s manifesto. A strategy will also be prepared in the Mumbai meeting.
4. Logo of India Alliance will be launched – The logo of India Alliance will be launched before the meeting. 3-4 logos have been prepared for the alliance. All people have been included in the symbol of India.
Some leaders say that a separate flag should also be issued so that supporters of one party do not feel uncomfortable in the rally. It is being said that this can also be discussed in the Mumbai meeting.
Preparations completed, all these arrangements have been made
80 leaders from 26 parties will attend the India meeting in Mumbai. These include five Chief Ministers MK Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Hemant Soren, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal.
170 rooms have been booked for these 80 leaders in Mumbai’s Hyatt Hotel. All the leaders will be welcomed at the airport by the NCP-Congress, while the Shiv Sainiks will take the lead at the hotel.
The meeting will also be organized at Hotel Hyatt and all the leaders will also hold a press conference here. Maharashtra’s famous dishes like Vada Paon, Puran Poli, Jhunka Bhakar and Modak have been arranged in the food.
So far 2 meetings just for show of strength
The opposition front has held two meetings so far, but only a show of strength took place. Leaders of 16 parties attended the Patna meeting, in which the Congress spoke of sacrifice. After Patna, the meeting was organized in Bengaluru.
The alliance was named in the Bengaluru meeting, in which there was talk of making Nitish Kumar the convenor, but it was postponed at the last moment.
A total of 26 parties attended the meeting in Bengaluru. In the meeting, Lalu Yadav raised the issue of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is constantly making statements against Mamata Banerjee. Lalu asked the Congress high command to stop this immediately.
