The opposition’s INDIA alliance will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election “together as far as possible”, the bloc stated Friday, the ultimate day of its assembly in Mumbai. The wording of the INDIA alliance’s decision, nonetheless, has raised eyebrows and spawned questions, particularly of the type the grouping was meant to reply – simply how united is the opposition because it bids to forestall Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming an unprecedented third time period. The events resolved to “coordinate respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme “Judega Bharat, Jiteega India” in numerous languages.

The decision after INDIA’s third meeting (the primary two have been in Patna and Bengaluru) additionally refers to seat-sharing preparations, noting these might be “initiated instantly and concluded… in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take”.

The mega opposition meet – hailed by its members as the definitive weapon with which to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party – concluded with the release of resolutions, and some drama after ex-Congress leader Kapil Sibal made a surprise entry.

Mamata Banerjee And Caste Census Resolution

Another moment of apparent discord was struck by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who opposed the political resolution because it included calls for a caste-based census. Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal, as well as Samajwadi Party from Uttar Pradesh, backed the inclusion of caste census in the resolution.

READ | Caste Census Divides INDIA Bloc, Political Resolution Dropped

There was additionally discuss of a logo for the INDIA alliance however that hasn’t but been revealed, and neither has there been readability on a joint schedule forward of the 2024 election, which is now lower than a yr away.

“Coordination Committee” Announced

In more positive news though, the alliance announced a 14-member cross-party “coordination committee” to work out issues and challenges like a possible Common Minimum Programme and the thorny problem of seat-sharing across the country.

Sources told NDTV four other committees are being planned, apart from the “coordination committee”, to help plan campaigns and rallies, handle social media and manage data.

Sources also spoke of “motion on the bottom” on October 2 – Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary – in Delhi.

The “coordination committee” will be INDIA’s highest decision-making body, and will include representatives from Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Shiv Sena UBT, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and the Janata Dal (United). Also on the committee are National Conference, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist), and People’s Democratic Party.

After three INDIA meetings, what is perhaps commendable is that the opposition – in this case the BJP – hasn’t been able to break the bloc, so far. Also commendable is the united front in dealing with the press, including tricky areas like seat-sharing.

READ | Government Calls Parliament “Special Session”, Agenda Not Declared

The meeting has been talked up over the past days, with JD(U) boss and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – seen as the driving force behind this effort at unity – calling on his colleagues to fight the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s “shock aspect technique and gimmicks”.

INDIA’s third meeting takes place after the centre’s surprise call for a special session of Parliament between September 18 and 22. The agenda for this session is not yet known but there is speculation it could focus on the BJP’s controversial “one nation, one election” name.