NEW DELHI: Leaders from 26 Indian opposition parties have joined forces to create an alliance aimed at challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party in the upcoming general elections scheduled for next year.
The newly formed coalition, called INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), held its second meeting in Bengaluru city and discussed crucial matters such as seat-sharing and a common program for the elections. Prominent opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi of the Congress party, attended the meeting.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated, “We are setting aside our political differences to save democracy.”
India’s Political Landscape
However, the task of taking on Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is no small feat. The BJP had secured over 300 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, out of the 543 seats in the lower house of parliament. Despite facing mixed results in recent state elections, the BJP currently governs around 15 states, either independently or in coalitions. The party’s significant strength lies in the popularity of Prime Minister Modi, who has successfully garnered support even from voters who may have chosen a different party in state polls.
While the opposition parties face their own challenges, including internal disputes and legal issues, observers believe that a strong anti-BJP sentiment is uniting them and motivating them to overcome their differences. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at the press conference, described the meeting as “constructive” and “fruitful,” asking the BJP, “Can you challenge INDIA?”
There have been reports suggesting that Sonia Gandhi will be named the president of the opposition alliance, but no official confirmation has been made regarding this.
In response to the opposition meeting, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance also scheduled a meeting of its 38 allies in Delhi on Tuesday. BJP President JP Nadda criticized the opposition gathering, claiming that it was based on “the politics of selfishness.”
As the election season approaches, political dynamics are expected to intensify, with both the ruling party and the opposition strategizing to secure support from voters across the country.
