Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | I.N.D.I.A. |
| Chairperson | Mallikarjun Kharge[1] |
| Founder | Nitish Kumar |
| Founded | 18 July 2023 |
| Preceded by | United Progressive Alliance |
| Political position | Big tent[lower-alpha 1] |
| Colours | (Official) (Alternative) |
| Alliance | 29 Parties |
| Seats in Lok Sabha | 142 / 543 |
| Seats in Rajya Sabha | 98 / 245 |
| Seats in State Legislative Assemblies | 1,637 / 4,036 |
| Seats in State Legislative Councils | 120 / 423 |
| Number of states and union territories in government | 10 / 31 |
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A; IAST: Bhāratīya Rāṣhṭrīya Vikāsātmaka Samāveśhī Gaṭhabandhan) is a big tent political alliance of 28 political parties in India led by the Indian National Congress.[2] The primary objective of the alliance is to defeat the ruling National Democratic Alliance government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Indian general elections.[3]
Etymology
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, commonly known by its backronym I.N.D.I.A.,[7] is an opposition front announced by the leaders of 28 parties to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The name was proposed during a meeting in Bengaluru and was unanimously adopted by the 28 participating parties. While some sources attribute the suggestion of the name to Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress (INC),[8] others mention that it was suggested by Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and chief minister of West Bengal.[9]
History
1st Meeting: Patna, Bihar: Coordination for unity
The first Opposition parties' meeting, held in Patna, Bihar, was chaired by Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar on 23 June 2023, when the proposal for a new alliance was put on the table. The meet was attended by 16 Opposition parties.[10]
2nd Meeting: Bengaluru, Karnataka: Formal formation
The second Opposition parties' meeting, was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 17 & 18 July 2023. It was chaired by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi when the proposal for an alliance was accepted and ten more parties were added to the list. The alliance's name was finalized and given the name Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. At this meeting, it was announced that the third meeting will be held in the city of Mumbai.[11]
3rd Meeting: Mumbai, Maharashtra: Preliminary plans
The third Opposition parties' meeting was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra from 31 August to 1 September 2023. The meeting was hosted by Shiv Sena (UBT) president, Uddhav Thackeray and saw Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and chief ministers of 5 states in attendance. Over the two-day deliberations, the alliance discussed major electoral issues for the upcoming general elections, carved out the coordination committee, and passed a three point resolution to fight 2024 Indian general elections together 'as far as possible'.[12][13]
4th Meeting: New Delhi, Delhi: Seat sharing and Joint Rallies
The fourth Opposition parties' meeting was held in New Delhi, Delhi on 19 December 2023. The meeting was primarily held to discuss seat-sharing, joint rallies, and the prime ministerial face and/or convenor of the alliance. The alliance adopted a resolution to ensure maximum use of VVPATs in upcoming elections. “To enhance confidence in elections, VVPAT slips should be directly given to voters to self-verify and place in a separate box, instead of them falling into the main box. Eventually, all VVPAT slips must be 100% counted, ensuring truly free and fair elections,” read the resolution passed by the alliance at the meeting. Seat sharing was also to be done by either December 31 or mid-January. It was also decided that protests will be held across the country on December 22 against the suspensions of opposition MPs in the Indian Parliament. Some leaders said that the alliance would hold a grand joint rally at Patna on January 20, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, although this was not officially announced.[14]
5th Meeting: Virtual: Chairperson selection & Seat-sharing talks
The alliance held its 5th meeting virtually with some leaders not attending.[15] Following the meeting, the Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was declared the alliance chairperson.[1] Members also had discussions about seat sharing.[16] The chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar was offered the post of national convenor of the alliance which he declined.[17]
Campaign
The bloc held its first event together on 22 December 2023, when nationwide protests were launched against the suspensions of opposition MPs in the Indian Parliament. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP president Sharad Yadav, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and other leaders held protests against the suspensions of MPs under the banner "Save Democracy" at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.[18][19]
Organisational Structure
Member parties
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance comprises a diverse range of political parties from across India. The 27 member parties of the alliance are:[20]
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Ideology and objectives
According to the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the alliance's ideology revolves around the principles of developmentalism, inclusivity, and social justice. By combining their efforts, the member parties aim to protect democratic values, promote welfare and progress, and counter what they perceive as an ideology that threatens the idea of India.[21] It was formed with the objective of defeating the incumbent BJP led NDA in the 2024 Indian general election.
Resolution
The alliance passed a three point resolution in its Mumbai meeting on 1 September 2023 to collectively contest 2024 Indian General elections.[22]
- We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together as far as possible. Seat-sharing arrangements in different states will be initiated immediately and concluded at the earliest in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take.
- We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to organize public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance.
- We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to coordinate our respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme Judega BHARAT, Jeetega INDIA in different languages.
2024 elections
Candidates in elections
See also
Note
- ↑ Members consist of far-left to centre-right
References
- 1 2 "Kharge named INDIA bloc chairperson, Nitish Kumar turns down convener post". Hindustan Times. 13 January 2024.
- ↑ "Opposition names alliance INDIA in run-up to 2024 elections". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ↑ Hrishikesh, Cherylann Mollan & Sharanya (18 July 2023). "Opposition meeting: 26 Indian parties form alliance to take on PM Modi". BBC News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
- ↑ Nair, Sobhana K. (18 July 2023). "Picking the name INDIA for alliance, Opposition parties frame 2024 battle as BJP vs the country". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ↑ "PM Modi News Quit INDIA: PM Modi Slams Opposition's INDIA Alliance BJP vs INDIA". News18. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ↑ Menon, Aditya (18 July 2023). "'INDIA' vs BJP: 5 Big Takeaways From the Opposition and NDA Meetings". TheQuint. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ↑ [4][5][6]
- ↑ Nair, Sobhana K. (18 July 2023). "Picking the name INDIA for alliance, Opposition parties frame 2024 battle as BJP vs the country". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ↑ Ghosh, Poulomi (19 July 2023). "'Who gave INDIA name? Who can't arrive at consensus…': BJP's dig 10 points". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ↑ "Tenets of unity: On the Opposition meet in Patna". The Hindu. 25 June 2023.
- ↑ "Opposition alliance named 'INDIA', 11-member coordination committee to decide on all important issues". The Times of India. 19 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ↑ "Live Updates: INDIA bloc forms 14-member coordination panel, says seat-sharing formula for 2024 Lok Sabha polls soon". The Indian Express. 1 September 2023.
- ↑ "I.N.D.I.A Opposition bloc 2-day meet ends, resolution adopted, coordination committee formed". IndiaTV. 1 September 2023.
- ↑ "Decode Politics: 5 takeaways from INDIA meet, from seat sharing pitfalls to PM face row". The Indian Express. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ↑ "After Mamata, Uddhav skips INDIA bloc's key meeting today; cites pre-scheduled events". The Indian Express. 13 January 2024.
- ↑ "I.N.D.I.A bloc virtual meeting concludes, talks held on seat-sharing: Sources". India TV. 13 December 2023.
- ↑ "I.N.D.I.A Alliance Meeting: Nitish Kumar denies the proposal to be the convenor of bloc". ABP News. 13 January 2024.
- ↑ Desk, DH Web. "India Political Updates: Kharge, Rahul, Sharad Pawar & Yechury join I.N.D.I.A bloc stir". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ↑ "Save Democracy: INDIA bloc leaders stage protest against bulk suspension of MPs from Parliament". The Economic Times. 22 December 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ↑ "The 26 Opposition Parties That Have Formed Mega Alliance For 2024 Polls". NDTV. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
- ↑ "Opposition Alliance Unveils Name "INDIA" – Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance". Akhil Bharat Times News. 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
- ↑ Chatterji, Saubhadra (1 September 2023). "INDIA vows to fight 2024 polls together, names coordinators". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2 September 2023.