In a significant development, opposition parties in India have gathered in Bengaluru for a two-day brainstorming session to strategize for the upcoming general elections in 2024. The meeting aims to give the alliance of 26 parties a name, structure, and a common agenda to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Amidst the deliberations, a possible name for the alliance has emerged—Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, hinted at the proposed name in a now-deleted tweet. The party emphasized that the alliance reflects the diversity and inclusivity of India.
The abbreviation INDIA expands to “Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance.” This choice of name is seen as a deliberate move to provoke the BJP, with the RJD asserting that the ruling party will find it painful to even utter the alliance’s name. Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore took to Twitter to express optimism about the alliance, stating, “INDIA will win.” The sentiment was echoed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien, who tweeted “Chak De! INDIA” while the meeting was still in progress. The enthusiasm among opposition leaders indicates their determination to present a formidable challenge to the BJP in the upcoming elections.
The current Congress-led alliance is known as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), and the opposition parties are now seeking a new name that embodies their collective vision and objectives. The meeting in Bengaluru aims to foster unity among the parties, as they currently govern 11 states collectively. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the BJP’s reliance on allies to secure a majority in the previous elections, only to disregard them afterward. He suggested that the BJP is now scrambling to reconcile with its former partners, fearing the strength of unity displayed by the opposition alliance. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the TMC, expressed her optimism about the constructive nature of the meeting.
In a video released by the Congress, she emphasized that the outcome of the gathering would be beneficial for the country. The Congress party also released videos featuring other opposition leaders, highlighting the broad participation and commitment to the alliance’s cause. As the Bengaluru meeting continues, opposition parties are poised to forge a strong alliance that can effectively challenge the BJP’s dominance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The potential adoption of the name “INDIA” underscores their aim to represent the diverse aspirations of the nation and project a united front against the ruling party.