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INDIA bloc leaders from 23 parties meet in New Delhi to address coordination issues, demand Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over NEET, plan bi-monthly meets.
Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and others during a press conference after the INDIA bloc meeting on Monday. (PTI photo)
The INDIA bloc on Monday sought to project unity and revive coordination among its allies as leaders from 23 parties met in New Delhi to discuss a common strategy against the BJP-led NDA after recent electoral setbacks for several regional parties.
The meeting, attended by senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav, took place amid changing political equations within the opposition camp. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and JMM leader Hemant Soren joined the discussions virtually.
Opposition Allies Push For Better Coordination
According to reports, the meeting also witnessed candid discussions over the functioning of the alliance. Several parties reportedly raised concerns about inadequate coordination and the Congress’s handling of state-level alliances during election campaigns. Some leaders also pushed for more frequent consultations, arguing that annual meetings were insufficient to maintain cohesion within the bloc.
Pradhan’s Resignation Demanded Over NEET Row
Despite the differences, the alliance reached consensus on a series of issues. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the opposition would soon write to the Chief Justice of India regarding concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The bloc also unanimously demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.
Leaders further urged the Centre to convene an all-party meeting to discuss inflation, unemployment, farmers’ concerns and other economic challenges. The opposition parties also resolved to coordinate closely during the upcoming Parliament session and raise what they described as people-centric issues.
In a key organisational decision, the INDIA bloc agreed to organise regular consultations, with meetings to be held every two months. The next gathering has been scheduled for August 8 in Hyderabad.
The meeting was notable for the absence of the DMK, which has recently had differences with the Congress over the latter’s backing for TVK in Tamil Nadu. Even so, opposition leaders sought to send a message of unity while attempting to chart a roadmap for the alliance’s future political strategy.
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