“The competition for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is intensifying, with both the BJP and the opposition INDIA bloc scheduling meetings this week. These gatherings are set to take place in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1.
On the following day, 26 opposition parties affiliated with the INDIA bloc will convene in Mumbai to strategize for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. There’s a possibility that newly-formed political parties, particularly from northeastern India, may participate in this two-day event.
The agenda is likely to include discussions on how they will allocate constituencies for the elections, the key issues they plan to address in the run-up to the polls, and the potential establishment of a coordination committee.
The INDIA bloc previously held its inaugural meeting in Patna in June and the second one in Bengaluru in mid-July. During the Bengaluru gathering, they officially named the alliance the “Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance” (INDIA).
In the upcoming Mumbai meeting, the alliance will unveil its logo.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has emphasized that his drive for Opposition Unity is not motivated by personal ambitions. When questioned about speculations that he might be appointed as the convener of the INDIA coalition during the Mumbai meeting, he expressed his preference for someone else to assume that role.
Some leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) hope that this will be the final meeting for the Opposition alliance, enabling each party to begin working on their respective state strategies.
Conversely, the BJP-led Maharashtra government has announced a 2-day review meeting for all of the Lok Sabha seats in the state. Maharashtra has a total of 48 Lok Sabha seats.
Initial discussions are slated to take place at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s official residence over dinner on August 31. On September 1, the Maharashtra government will hold multiple sessions to deliberate on strategies for different regions of the state. This meeting will be chaired by Mr. Shinde and attended by his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.”