By Ramakant Chaudhary
In what could be seen as game changing development in the face of Lok Sabha elections 2024, the opposition bloc, constituted with 26 parties, coalesced to square off with the BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In the meeting held in Bengaluru on July 18 (Tuesday), they christened their alliance I.N.D.I.A (India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), setting the stage for a battle of ballot against the BJP-led ruling establishment to win majority in Lok Sabha elections scheduled for 2024. Striking a chord of nationalism to cross swords with BJP’s NDA, the 26-party alliance have floated the tagline of I.N.D.I.A.: “Jeetega Bharat”.
After the joint opposition meeting in Bengaluru, the Bharatiya Janata Party has also shown its strength with a meeting of 38 members of the NDA in the national capital on the same day. During his address to NDA leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “NDA means: N=New India, D=Development, A=Aspiration.” It looks that wordplay is in the fray, heralding an intense battle in the making for 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The ruling dispensation has on several occasions used acronyms cleverly to catch the attention of the public. Taking the leaf out of the BJP’s book, the opposition has now delivered I.N.D.I.A googly to stump out the NDA on the pitch of nationalism to settle scores in the bitterly contested run-up to 2024. So, the battle lines are drawn for NDA vs I.N.D.I.A.
Punch and counter punch have started to set the optics for 2024 general elections, as leaders from both the sides claim their preparedness to emerge victorious. According to Congress Twitter handle, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said: “This is an important meeting to save democracy and the constitution, and in the interest of the country, we have come together. With one voice, people have supported the resolution. Our alliance will be called INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).
Addressing a joint press conference with other alliance leaders, Kharge revealed that all 26 parties unanimously took the decision to set up an “11-member coordination committee” during their next meeting to be held in Mumbai. The committee, the Congress chief said, will handle matters related to leadership questions and complexities of seat sharing. Kharge further contended that the reconstitution of NDA has exposed the Modi-led BJP apprehensions about the growing strength of BJP.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stressed the alliance’s commitment to defend the voice of people and the idea of India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackray among others joined the same bandwagon to defend the positioning of the I.N.D.I.A alliance and expressed solidarity to take on the BJP-led NDA.
In his address to the NDA members, PM Modi said that the BJP-led alliance was formed to bring stability in the nation, and added: “Even when we were in the opposition, we always did positive politics. In opposition, we brought out scams of the then govts but never insulted the mandate of the people. We never took the help of foreign powers against the ruling governments. We never created hurdles in development schemes meant for the country,” reported by ANI.
“Hamare liye gathbandhan majboori nahi majbooti ka madhyam hai. NDA is not the symbol of coalition and compulsion but the symbol of coalition and contribution. In NDA, no party is small or big. We all are walking together towards the same goal,” said the PM Modi while addressing the NDA members.
Meanwhile Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, sharing his views on the CNN-News 18 Townhall’s theme ‘Road to 2024’ held on Tuesday, expressed confidence on the performance of the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and added, “People will vote for the good governance in 2024 because we do politics of progress and development. What Congress did not do in sixty years; we did in nine. BJP will have a massive majority under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Taking a swipe on the Opposition’s bid to huddle together, the minister said, “When people become weak, they come together. We do politics of conviction and progression.”
The Opposition plays a vital role in the functioning of Indian democracy by acting as a responsible check on the government, representing diverse views, and contributing to policy formulation and legislative debates. Their constructive engagement helps uphold democratic principles and ensures a more balanced and inclusive governance system.
The pertinent questions reverberating in public domain: Will the opposition bloc of 26 parties stand together to play constructive role to lead India? In 2024 Lok Sabha elections, who will be the face of the opposition group to face off “charismatic” PM Modi? What formula will be evolved to stich all members of the opposition alliance together on seat sharing for fighting Lok Sabha elections? How will wrinkles between TMC and CPM be ironed out, as they snuggle down in meeting in Bengaluru and fiercely fight with each other in Kolkata? Of course, road to 2024, as it appears now, will be a bumpy ride for I.N.D.I.A, but it is the public, sab janati hai, who will decide that: “Jeetega Bharat” or “Khilega Kamal”.
-RAMAKANT CHAUDHARY
Ramakant Chaudhary works with PR Professionals as DGM-Content Development, and has worked in various editorial roles with Financial Express, Mint (Hindustan Times Group), The Times Of India, Jagran Post (Dainik Jagran Group), The Pioneer, and The Political and Business Daily. He writes on politics, government policy, economy, infrastructure, real estate, social issues, lifestyle, and health.
