Seat-sharing, alliance name: Opposition party huddle in Bengaluru charts agenda
Subcommittees will decide on a common plan of action in the run-up to elections
Subcommittees will decide on a common plan of action in the run-up to elections
Subcommittees will decide on a common plan of action in the run-up to elections
Subcommittees will decide on a common plan of action in the run-up to elections
The leaders of 26 opposition political parties will sit down in Bengaluru on Tuesday to deliberate mounting a joint fight against the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. And, on the agenda are issues such as setting in motion the process to draft a common minimum programme, holding joint rallies and agitations and discussing the challenging task of seat sharing on a state-to-state basis.
An agenda for the meeting was discussed and adopted at the informal meeting the leaders had last evening, sources told The Week. The meeting held on Monday evening was followed by a dinner hosted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
It is learnt that the agenda comprises setting up subcommittees to decide on a common plan of action for the parties in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Sources added that a subcommittee would be set up for drafting the common minimum programme and communication points for the alliance for the 2024 elections. Another subcommittee would be set up to chalk out a joint programme of parties, which includes rallies, conventions and agitations.
The top leadership of the 26 parties also has to work out a process at today's meeting to decide upon seat sharing on a state-to-state basis. The leaders had earlier in principle agreed that there was a need to minimise the division of opposition votes and ensure that only one candidate from the opposition camp takes on a BJP candidate in the majority of the seats.
The opposition parties are also keen on discussing a name for the alliance so that it helps the people view the disparate parties as one group with a common agenda for the Lok Sabha polls. Also, the parties will discuss setting up a common secretariat for the proposed alliance.
According to sources, the parties will aim at ensuring that the meeting today will have tangible outcomes in the form of the formation of sub-groups and a secretariat. The leaders are scheduled to meet from 11 am onwards today at the Taj Westend Hotel. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference by the leaders.