At least 24 opposition parties of India are meeting on Monday in Bengaluru city of Karnataka state to discuss a plan for the 2024 general elections.
Media reports quoting sources said the parties will formulate a strategy to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) not only in the elections but in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to commence from July 20.
The new opposition front is likely to get a new name and will no longer be called United Progressive Alliance (UPA). A common secretariat is also likely to be set up for the proposed alliance.
The UPA, led by Congress, was formed after 2004 parliamentary polls when none of the political parties achieved a majority. Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was the chair of that alliance.
The opposition also plans to establish a common minimum program and discussions will also be held on seat-sharing on a state-to-state basis, reports said, adding that a sub-committee will likely be set up for drafting the program, and communication points for the alliance for the next year's parliamentary elections.
The sub-committee will strategize the joint electoral campaign which includes rallies, conventions and agitations for the opposition.
According to media reports, the opposition bloc is likely to take up the issue of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and suggest reforms to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The prominent political parties joining the second mega meet include Indian National Congress (INC), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rashtirya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United (JDU), amongst others.
The AAP confirmed its attendance on Sunday only after Congress supported it against the government’s ordinance over control of Delhi’s bureaucracy.
Prior to the meeting on Tuesday, former Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi will be hosting a dinner for the other opposition parties in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has also announced a mega meeting in Delhi on July 18. At least 30 political parties are likely to join the meeting which will be chaired by BJP President J.P. Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.