INDIA bloc meet Highlights: Oppn to hold nationwide protests on Dec 22 over MPs' suspension

On the reports of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee proposing the name of Congress chief Mallilkarjun Kharge as the PM face of the INDIA Alliance, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says, "To take Congress forward, they did some experiments in the past and they succeeded in it. Whether they made PV Narasimha Rao or Manmohan Singh the PM. PV Narasimha Rao remained PM for 5 years, and Manmohan Singh was the PM for 10 years. But as soon as Sonia Gandhi put forward Rahul Gandhi, after 2009 everyone has forgotten everything. If he (Mallikarjun Kharge) has come back to strengthen the Congress again then it is a good thing. I will ask my Leader of Opposition too that if they want to keep the Congress alive in Haryana, then they should bring someone else, if they keep following Deepender (Hooda), then the situation here would also be like it is there (Delhi)..."

"(West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee proposed that we (INDIA alliance) should project (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge as our PM candidate. However, Kharge rejected her point, saying there is no point in announcing a coordinator or our PM face. He said that we should decide about it only after the polls," says VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan.

CPI General Secretary D Raja says, "There was a reference to the common minimum program. Now, it has been decided first to take up the issue of suspension of MPs because it is an onslaught on our democracy, it is an attack on our parliamentary system. So there should be protests across the country and the call has been given for a mass protest... Nothing (on the PM candidate)... We have given a call for mass protest across the country in all state headquarters on 22nd (December)... We should conclude the seat-sharing arrangement as early as possible, and we'll have to put up a strong collective fight against BJP..."

"It (seat-sharing formula) would be finalised before the (2024 Lok Sabha) elections," says CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury after the meeting of INDIA alliance in Delhi.

After the INDIA Alliance meeting, RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "Discussions were held clearly. Seat-sharing, mass contact program - all of these will begin within 20 days...All decisions will be taken within 3 weeks."

Congress leader KC Venugopal said, “Seat sharing discussion will start immediately. Priority is seat sharing.”

Speaking about the seat-sharing issue, Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The local leaders will hold the first round of talks. If differences remain, senior leaders will intervene. UP, Telangana seat sharing issues will be resolved. We will try to see how Punjab and Delhi issues can be resolved. We have to first come as winners. If we don't have MPs, what is the use of projecting PM?”

Mallikarjun Kharge said, “28 parties participated in the fourth meeting. All 28 parties shared their views. All parties have spoken in one voice on how the alliance should function in future. 8-10 meetings of the INDIA block will be organized across the country. This is important to convey to the people about this alliance. A resolution has been passed condemning the suspension of MPs in Parliament. The issue we raised in the House, it was a correct issue. How did the intruders come inside. We had been demanding the Home Minister or Prime Minister to come to the House and address us. House is on, but the govt is speaking outside the House. Why they didn't speak in the House? This is the first time, such a large number of MPs have been suspended. We will continue to fight against this.”

He added, “On Dec 22, all India protests will take place against the suspension of MPs.”

On the INDIA Alliance meeting, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, "The meeting was good. The campaigning, seat sharing and everything will begin soon. No (convenor hasn't been selected) yet."

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and party leader & Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav leave from the venue after the meeting of the INDIA alliance concludes.

On INDIA alliance meeting today, JMM MP Mahua Maji says, "The main discussion was regarding seat sharing. Some leaders wanted to have the seat sharing before 1st January. Discussions regarding the face of the Prime Minister were also done. No final decision was taken...Everyone said that PM's face will be decided after winning the elections..."

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee leaves from Ashoka Hotel in Delhi after attending the fourth meeting of INDIA bloc.

Electronic Voting Machines have been discussed extensively in the meeting.

In the INDIA bloc meeting, TMC's Mamata Banerjee suggested Mallikarjun Kharge as the PM candidate. However, Kharge maintained that the alliance should focus on winning the poll first.

Sources told news agency ANI, “In the INDIA Alliance meeting, the suspension of Opposition MPs from the Parliament was taken up for discussion and condemned”

The Congress party has announced a four-member National Alliance Committee on Tuesday comprising of four senior leaders to negotiate with other INDIA allies for seat adjustment.

The Committee headed by veteran party leader Mohan Prakash as convenor, has two former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Maghel and former Union ministers Salman Khurshid and Mukul Wasnik.

“In the run-up to the General Elections-2024, Hon’ble Congress President has constituted an National Alliance Committee, as follows, with immediate effect,” said a communique issued by party general secretary KC Venugopal.

The announcement of the committee, made by party general secretary KC Venugopal, came minutes before the fourth meeting of the INDIA group in Delhi on Tuesday to send a positive signal to the allies.

Posters calling for assigning Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a big role in national politics were seen in several parts of the state capital on Tuesday when the JD(U) leader was away in Delhi to attend a crucial meeting of INDIA bloc.

The JD(U) came out with a quick clarification that it had nothing to do with the posters, wary of upsetting the supreme leader who has been at pains to assert that his efforts at forging opposition unity were not guided by personal ambitions.

Ally RJD, on its part, made it clear that the primary goal was to defeat BJP in Lok Sabha polls and if, in the process, the CM landed the top job, it would be "a matter of pride for Bihar".

"It is not known who has put out the posters. But its message of 'nishchay' (resolve) is something none can find fault with", said JD(U) chief spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar.

PTI

With INDIA bloc parties meeting on Tuesday to formulate their strategy against the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Modi said their goal is throw out his government but his government's goal is to ensure a bright future for the country.

As posters featuring Bihar CM Nitish Kumar surface in Patna ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, Union minister Nityanand Rai has launched a scathing critique. Rai said that the current administration in Bihar, led by Nitish Kumar, is struggling to manage law and order and development in the state.

“They cannot even handle the situation in Bihar, the situation of law & order and development in the state has gone for a toss. Whatever development is happening in the state is because of the policies of the Narendra Modi government. Nitish Kumar will be rejected by the people of Bihar.”

The posters read: 'Agar sach mein jeet chahiye toh fir ek Nischay aur ek Nitish chahiye' (If you really want to win, you need determination and Nitish).

A spokesperson for the ruling government in Jharkhand led by JMM confirmed that chief minister Hemant Soren will not be attending the INDIA bloc meeting due to the ongoing Assembly session.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi underscored the heightened importance of the INDIA bloc meeting after a historic mass expulsion of lawmakers from Parliament.

“This meeting becomes even more important, after the dictatorial behaviour of the central government,” she said.

“The way they are misusing their powers, it is important the people know about it. It is important to tell the people that today it is happening with the Members of Parliament, and it can happen with them as well...Whatever decision is being made will be made after the agreement of everyone.”

In the lead-up to the INDIA bloc meeting today, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi expressed the party's dedication to the alliance's success. Atishi highlighted that crucial topics, including seat-sharing, will be on the agenda for discussion during the meeting.

Posters featuring Bihar CM Nitish Kumar have been put up in Patna, carrying the message: 'Agar sach mein jeet chahiye toh fir ek Nischay aur ek Nitish chahiye' (If you really want to win, you need determination and Nitish).