India Bloc leaders gathered for a key meeting in New Delhi amid disagreements among voters and recent election losses to TMC and DMK.
25 opposition parties gathered for the main India Caucus meeting in New Delhi on Monday. The Inclusive Indian National Development Alliance (INDIA) bloc meeting was aimed at mending ties amid voter discord and recent electoral losses to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Track updates regarding India Caucus meeting
However, the DMK and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were absent from the meeting. The DMK had last week announced its decision to skip the meeting, citing the Congress’s post-poll alliance with TVK in Tamil Nadu.
After the meeting ended, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the alliance had decided on five points, including the decision to write to the Chief Justice of India on the Special Intensive Review (SIR), alleging “vote plunder” and electoral malpractice.
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Takeaways from the India Caucus meeting
- Following the meeting, Congress’s Karg said the Indian bloc has decided to write to the Chief Justice of India over the Special Intensified Review (SIR), alleging “vote looting” and electoral malpractice. “It has been agreed that a letter will be sent to the Chief Justice of India regarding SIR, vote looting and election theft. The letter is scheduled to be delivered to the Chief Justice of India very soon,” he said.
- Kharge also said that the opposition bloc has unanimously decided to seek immediate resignation of the Union Education Minister over the alleged exam lapses in NEET and CBSE that affected scores of students. “It was unanimously agreed to demand the immediate resignation of the Education Minister as he oversaw the betrayal of thousands of youth who appeared for NEET and CBSE exams,” the Congress leader said.
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- Congress president Karg also detailed the bloc’s immediate action plan, with a focus on youth, institutional integrity and a sustainable joint opposition front.
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- Karg said the coalition partners will now meet every two months to review national policies and coordinate strategy, and the next formal meeting of the India bloc is scheduled for August 8 in Hyderabad.
- The bloc is also working to tighten its legislative strategy ahead of Parliament’s seasonal session. “Strategic meetings of all coalition partners will be held regularly within the office of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) to ensure a united front against the treasury benches on a daily basis.”
“United we stand”
Following the meeting, the Congress made a show of unity as it shared pictures of opposition bloc leaders with the caption, “United we stand.”
The India bloc leaders also stressed unity within the alliance group and called for the need to protect democratic values and address issues related to people’s livelihood. Several senior leaders of the opposition alliance gathered here at the Constitution Club against the backdrop of emerging differences among some of their constituents.
Who were not all present at the India bloc meeting
The DMK was upset by the Congress’ TVK alliance, and the AAP was absent from the main meeting in Delhi, while Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) were not in New Delhi, but attended the meeting virtually.
