Opposition meet highlights: 26-party alliance to be called as ‘INDIA’, next meeting in Mumbai

Opposition Meet in Bengaluru Live updates: Over 50 leaders attended the discussion on Monday following which Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah hosted a dinner.

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attend the second day of the joint Opposition meeting, in Bengaluru (ANI)

Opposition Meet in Bengaluru Live updates: Sounding the bugle for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday announced that the 26-party alliance would be called as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)....Read More

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• 18 Jul 2023, 11:04:16 PM IST

  2024 will see emergence of new India, says Stalin

  DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday highlighted the opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and said the coming year will see the emergence of a "new India."

  While the maiden meeting of opposition parties, that met in Bihar capital Patna in June saw the participation of 16 political parties, it grew to 26 in the just concluded two-day Bengaluru conclave, he said.

• 18 Jul 2023, 10:26:15 PM IST

  Name of coalition stemmed from our efforts to protect India from multi-dimensional assault: Yechury

  After 26 opposition parties on Tuesday unanimously decided on the name of their alliance, INDIA, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the idea behind it stemmed from their efforts to protect the country from the multi-dimensional assault on it.

  Talking to PTI, the Left leader said in the present circumstances, their priority is to safeguard the secular, democratic character of the Indian republic, which is under assault.

  "For that, it is essential that those mounting such assaults should be kept away from controlling the government and State power. So all of us have to unite to save India. The idea was that of saving India," he said.

• 18 Jul 2023, 10:15:38 PM IST

  Nitish left Bengaluru early, angry over not being made convener of INDIA: Sushil Modi

  Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned early from the opposition meeting in Bengaluru as he was "upset" over not having been made convener of the new coalition - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

  Kumar’s JD(U) hit back, dubbing the former Deputy CM as “someone who makes ridiculous statements and is not taken seriously even within his party”.

• 18 Jul 2023, 10:06:08 PM IST

  Opposition parties' character won't change by changing name of their alliance: BJP

  The BJP and its NDA partners on Tuesday hit out at the opposition parties, saying giving a new name to their alliance will not change their character and the 2024 Lok Sabha battle is going to be “Bharat Mata versus INDIA”.

  They were reacting after 26 opposition parties announced their coalition - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

• 18 Jul 2023, 09:09:48 PM IST

  Why ‘democratic’ word was dropped from INDIA?

  The original suggestion was to call it "Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance", but the word "democratic" was replaced with "developmental" after some leaders said it sounded too similar to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), PTI reported citing sources.

  It was also discussed if the word "national" should be dropped, but it was finally decided to retain it, they said.

• 18 Jul 2023, 08:56:09 PM IST

  It is 'NDA vs INDIA' in 2024, say Mamata, Rahul as opposition alliance finalises its name

  It's going to be "a battle between NDA and INDIA" in 2024, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a meeting of 26 opposition parties here on Tuesday as they unanimously adopted a proposal to name their coalition as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

  The original suggestion was to call it "Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance", but the word "democratic" was replaced with "developmental" after some leaders said it sounded too similar to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), sources said.

• 18 Jul 2023, 08:29:00 PM IST

  Speculations rife as Nitish, Lalu return without attending joint PC, JD-U says don’t read too much

  The return of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad to Patna by chartered plane without attending the joint Press Conference of united opposition in Bangalore has sparked speculations about what exactly happened.

  The first meeting of the on-BJP parties in Patna was hosted by Nitish Kumar, who was the initiator of the unity move to thwart Prime Narendra Modi’s bid for third term. He was also tipped to be the convenor for opposition unity due to the way he reached out to different political parties to build the framework for unity.

• 18 Jul 2023, 08:19:07 PM IST

  Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on the opposition meeting

  On the opposition meeting, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, says, "From morning to evening I was busy with government work, and I have not even seen Twitter. I even do not know who has gone to Bangalore, let me see that at night, then I'll react tomorrow."

• 18 Jul 2023, 08:16:04 PM IST

  Sanjay Raut on INDIA

  "Now they (BJP) have to fight against INDIA," says Uddhav Thackeray Faction MP Sanjay Raut

• 18 Jul 2023, 08:15:23 PM IST

  Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on name for opposition alliance

  It's a collective effort. We all sat together, and we all decided on names. Rahul ji spearheaded this, he justified why it should be INDIA. He argued for it: Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on name for opposition alliance, in Bengaluru

• 18 Jul 2023, 08:04:55 PM IST

  We discussed several issues of public importance: D Raja

  Around 26 parties were present in the meeting. We discussed several issues of public importance. We have arrived at a joint decision to fight the BJP together. All parties are now under the banner of 'INDIA'. There are several lined-up proposals like making a coordination committee. We believe that the country is under significant threat. There are many important issues like unemployment, inflation, women's security & more. They need to be addressed urgently: D Raja, CPI leader on opposition meet

• 18 Jul 2023, 07:48:01 PM IST

  Senior BJP Leader Sushil Modi on the opposition alliance - INDIA

  "Out of the eight parties that came forward for the INDIA alliance (erstwhile UPA), four parties belong to Tamil Nadu, and the rest four to Kerala. The parties added to make 26 parties are only from two states, none from UP, Bihar, MP, and Rajasthan... Even if you make 10 parties join the INDIA alliance, how would it affect BJP as the party's presence in these states is already nominal," Senior BJP Leader Sushil Modi on the opposition alliance - INDIA.

• 18 Jul 2023, 07:47:09 PM IST

  The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

  The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. After a long discussion, it was decided to be called as 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance': VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan

• 18 Jul 2023, 07:42:47 PM IST

  Oppn must inspire confidence that its goal is to save Constitution: Brinda Karat

  Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat on Tuesday said the opposition parties should "give confidence" to people that they have come together to save the country and Constitution from the "assault" of the BJP and RSS.

  Speaking at a press conference here, she also claimed that the real allies of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance were the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department.

  Asked whether the opposition unity will be strong enough to take on the BJP in the 2024 elections with local politics also being an issue, Karat said not only the opposition parties but social forces and social movements across the political and social spectrum needed to unite "to prevent the destruction of the secular democratic India."

• 18 Jul 2023, 06:53:48 PM IST

  Days of NDA numbered: TMC after oppn meet; BJP says no vacancy for PM's post

  Soon after the conclave of the top leaders of 26 non-BJP parties in Bengaluru, the Trinamool Congress hailed the coalition named ‘INDIA’ formed for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and asserted that the days of the NDA are numbered.

  The opposition alliance that will take on the NDA ruling at the Centre and an 11-member committee will be set up for coordination, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced after the meeting in the Karnataka capital.

  The TMC tweeted: "INDIA stands united! I - Indian N - National D - Developmental I - Inclusive A - Alliance Can NDA challenge INDIA? - Smt @MamataOfficial at the opposition party meeting in Bengaluru. The tyrannical regime is about to end. @BJP4India, your days are numbered!"

• 18 Jul 2023, 06:49:08 PM IST

  A fight for idea of India: Rahul Gandhi after joint Oppn meet

  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday the Opposition was in a fight to save the country.

  Speaking at the joint press conference at the end of the second joint Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the Congress leader said the fight was not between two alliances standing on the opposite ends of the political spectrum but one to defend "the idea of India".

  "The idea of India is under attack today. The idea of an inclusive India is being attacked by the ideology of the BJP," Rahul said at the joint press congference on Tuesday.

• 18 Jul 2023, 06:48:01 PM IST

  Recap: Indian opposition parties form alliance called 'INDIA' for 2024 elections

  More than two dozen Indian opposition parties said on Tuesday that they had joined hands to form an alliance called "INDIA" to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in parliamentary elections next year.

  Naming the alliance INDIA is seen as an attempt by the opposition parties to challenge the BJP on its own nationalist platform in elections due by May 2024.

  Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the main opposition Congress party, said INDIA stood for "Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance".

• 18 Jul 2023, 06:12:41 PM IST

  "The character of our republic is being severely assaulted: INDIA

  "The character of our republic is being severely assaulted in a systematic manner by the BJP. We express our grave concern over the humanitarian tragedy that has destroyed Manipur. The silence of the Prime Minister is shocking and unprecedented. We are determined to combat and confront the continuing assault on the Constitution and on constitutional rights of democratically elected state governments": Joint Resolution of 26 political parties belonging to the opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A

• 18 Jul 2023, 05:57:34 PM IST

  Caste census, Manipur feature in Opposition Bengaluru declaration. Read full text here

  Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday announced that the alliance of the 26 opposition parties would be called as ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’ (INDIA) which will take on the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Read more

• 18 Jul 2023, 05:56:40 PM IST

  Definitely we are challenging BJP, says MDMK leader Vaiko

  "It was a successful meeting....Definitely we are challenging BJP," says MDMK leader Vaiko after the meeting of opposition alliance - I.N.D.I.A in Bengaluru.

• 18 Jul 2023, 05:53:05 PM IST

  INDIA name proposed by Mamata Banerjee: Sources

  According to multiple sources, the name was suggested by TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and there was a lot of discussion on the full form of the term, INDIA.

• 18 Jul 2023, 05:52:18 PM IST

  Rahul Gandhi on INDIA

  Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said they have decided to prepare an action plan where they will talk about their ideology and programmes.

• 18 Jul 2023, 05:26:45 PM IST

  We promise to transform substance and style of governance: Oppn parties

  We promise to transform substance and style of governance to make it more consultative, democratic, participative: 26 opposition parties

• 18 Jul 2023, 05:22:30 PM IST

  We pledge to present to nation an alternative political agenda: Oppn parties

  We pledge to present to nation an alternative political, social and economic agenda: 26 opposition parties in joint declaration

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:52:01 PM IST

  This fight is not between 2 political formations but fight is to defend the idea of India: Rahul Gandhi

  This fight is not between 2 political formations but fight is to defend the idea of India. If you will see history, you will find that nobody has been able to fight the idea of India. It's a fight between the idea of India and Narendra Modi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:50:05 PM IST

  The fight is against BJP and its ideology: Rahul Gandhi

  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "The fight is against BJP and its ideology. This fight is between India and Narendra Modi," in Bengaluru.

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:49:18 PM IST

  'INDIA' name for opposition alliance symbolises our determination: Rahul Gandhi

  'INDIA' name for opposition alliance symbolises our determination to defend idea of India: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:44:44 PM IST

  The country is our family and we are fighting together to save our family: Uddhav Thackeray

  This was our second successful meeting today. The country is our family and we are fighting together to save our family. The next meeting of this alliance will be in Mumbai: Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray in Bengaluru

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:43:42 PM IST

  In the last 9 years, PM Modi could have done a lot of things: Kejriwal

  In the last 9 years, PM Modi could have done a lot of things but he destroyed all the sectors. We have gathered here not for ourselves but to save the country from hatred..., says AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:40:59 PM IST

  Our country is our family: Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray

  Yes, we are fighting for family. Our country is our family: Uddhav Thackeray

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:39:10 PM IST

  Today the entire media has been captured by PM Modi: Kharge

  Today the entire media has been captured by PM Modi. No one moves without their signal. In my 52 years of active political career, I have never seen such a hostile situation that opposition leaders (voices) are being suppressed: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:36:09 PM IST

  "NDA, can you challenge I.N.D.I.A?," asks TMC leader Mamata Banerjee

  "NDA, can you challenge I.N.D.I.A?," asks TMC leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Bengaluru.

  The Opposition alliance for 2024 polls is called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance - I.N.D.I.A.

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:33:47 PM IST

  Kharge confirms INDIA vs NDA in 2024; secretariat in Delhi, next meet in Mumbai | Top updates

  Opposition parties announced the formation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and plan for a poll campaign secretariat in Delhi. Read more

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:32:24 PM IST

  PM Modi is now afraid of opposition parties: Kharge

  NDA is holding a meeting with 30 parties. I have not heard about so many parties in India. Earlier they didn't hold any meetings but now they are meeting one by one (with NDA parties) PM Modi is now afraid of opposition parties. We have gathered here to save democracy and the Constitution: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:28:03 PM IST

  This is a very important meeting to save the democracy: Kharge

  “This is a very important meeting to save the democracy and Constitution,” says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in his address at the joint press conference after the mega opposition meeting in Bengaluru.

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:24:34 PM IST

  One secretariat will be set up for campaign management in Delhi

  One secretariat will be set up for campaign management in Delhi, says Kharge. 

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:23:24 PM IST

  Next joint meeting to be held in Mumbai

  The next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai, the date will be announced soon. An 11-member coordination committee will be set up. Names of committee members will be announced in Mumbai: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:22:19 PM IST

  11-member coordiantion committee will be set up

  11-member coordiantion committee of the alliance will be set up, says Kharge.

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:19:48 PM IST

  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance- oppn's new alliance

  Our alliance will be called - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:17:14 PM IST

  Watch: Press briefing by united like-minded opposition parties in Bengaluru, Karnataka

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:03:29 PM IST

  Joint opposition meeting concludes in Bengaluru

  Joint opposition meeting concludes in Bengaluru, Karnataka

  "All will be united," says JD(U) leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on being asked if the opposition alliance has been named 'I-N-D-I-A'.

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:01:54 PM IST

  We have come together to save the country's democracy: Tejashwi Yadav

  Expressing the need for opposition unity, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav said, “We have come together to save the country's democracy, constitution and brotherhood. The constitutional institutions of the country are being misused and the properties of the country are being sold. Instead of talking about the real issues like farmers, youth, inflation, only hatred is being talked about.”

• 18 Jul 2023, 04:01:10 PM IST

  This meeting is a continuation of the process that we started in Patna: Omar Abdullah

  “This meeting is a continuation of the process that we started in Patna a few weeks ago. I think it's important that we put up a united stand against everything that is going wrong in this country, particularly the way in which the constitution is being eroded and the secular fabric of this country is being undermined. All sensible parties need to come together and unite in opposition to this”, said Omar Abdullah, J&K National Conference (NC) Vice President & former chief minister of J&K.

• 18 Jul 2023, 03:52:35 PM IST

  Recap: PM Modi got a chance to rule the country for ten years, says Kejriwal

  The Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, “PM Modi got a chance to rule the country for ten years and he has made a complete mess of almost every sector. He has created hatred among the people, the economy is in shambles, inflation is at its peak, and there is unemployment in all sectors. It is time for the people of India to get rid of him, so all the like-minded parties are coming together.”

• 18 Jul 2023, 03:37:19 PM IST

  The issue is to come together for the common cause: Priyank Kharge

  Karnataka Minister & Congress leader Priyank Kharge says, "The question is not who is going to be the PM. The issue is to come together for the common cause which is to save the idea of India and the Constitution."

• 18 Jul 2023, 03:34:45 PM IST

  Chak De! INDIA, tweets TMC MP Derek O'Brien

  Chak De! INDIA, tweets TMC MP Derek O'Brien

• 18 Jul 2023, 03:31:38 PM IST

  UPA likely to be renamed in today's meeting of the joint Opposition.

  UPA likely to be renamed in today's meeting of the joint Opposition. Four new names for United Progressive Alliance (UPA) have been sent to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and there is a possibility that the final name will be announced today: Sources

• 18 Jul 2023, 03:21:56 PM IST

  This is a good, fruitful meeting: Mamata Banerjee

• 18 Jul 2023, 03:17:29 PM IST

  'Indian national democratic inclusive alliance'' is being considered as a possible name

  Oppn alliance likely to be named INDIA (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance), not final but many leaders agree on it: Sources

• 18 Jul 2023, 03:06:56 PM IST

  BJP used the votes of its allies and came to power and then discarded them: Kharge

  “I am happy that 26 parties are present in Bengaluru to work unitedly. Together, we are in government in 11 states today. The BJP did not get 303 seats by itself. It used the votes of its allies and came to power and then discarded them. The BJP President and their leaders are running from state to state to patch up with their old allies. They are scared that the unity they see here will result in their defeat next year,” Kharge told the opposition leaders.