The day 2 of the Opposition parties meeting in Bengaluru has made an important decision regarding the renaming of UPA (United Progressive Alliance).
Reports claim that the UPA will now be renamed ‘INDIA’ or ‘I.N.D.I.A’, the full-form of which will be ‘Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance’.
At the meeting, the acronym I-N-D-I-A, or the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance was suggested to name the mega opposition front that seeks to take on the ruling party, the BJP.
According to sources, Left parties wanted the word ‘Alliance’ to be changed to ‘Front’ while some parties were not too keen on ‘NDA’ in the name.
The first day of the meeting was informal, with discussions followed by a dinner.
At the dinner meeting yesterday, all political parties were asked to suggest names, and these will be discussed and a consensus will be reached during the meeting.
According to sources, former UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is set to be named as the President of the newly formed Front, with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as the Convenor.
Notably, Sonia Gandhi served as the chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) from 2004 to 2014.
In addition, two subcommittees will be formed: one to finalise the common minimum program and communication points, and the other to plan joint opposition events, rallies, and conventions.
The opposition meet is being attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Chief Ministers MK Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren, Mamata Banerjee, and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad.
Senior NCP Sharad Pawar and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) leader HD Kumaraswamy did not attend the first day of the opposition meeting. Although Sharad Pawar arrived in Bengaluru on the second day, it is unclear whether Kumaraswamy will attend the meeting or not.
“All parties having the will and guts to fight the BJP are welcome,” said Congress leader Pawan Khera.
“Like-minded opposition parties shall closely work together to foster an agenda of social justice, inclusive development and national welfare. We want to free the people of India from the autocratic and anti-people politics of hate, division, economic inequality and loot… United We Stand, for this India,” said Mallikarjun Kharge.
Earlier today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said at the meeting of opposition parties that there are differences “between some of us” at the state level but these are not ideological and are not so big that these cannot put them behind for the sake of people who are “suffering” due to policies of the BJP-led government, sources said.
According to sources, Kharge told the meeting of opposition parties that the common man and middle class are suffering due to inflation, youth are suffering from unemployment and the rights of the poor, Dalits, tribals and minorities are being crushed “silently behind the scene”.
“We are aware that at the state level, there are differences between some of us. These differences are not ideological,” Kharge is learnt to have said.
He said 26 parties are attending the opposition meeting and they were in power in 11 states.
The opposition leaders will discuss plans to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls during their meeting in Bengaluru. The two-day meeting will conclude on July 18.
