The much-anticipated fourth meeting of the INDIA bloc, originally scheduled for December 6, has been deferred to December 19, as several opposition leaders cited unavailability. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced the new date, emphasizing the theme of unity, 'Main nahi, hum' ('Not me, but us'). The meeting holds significance as it marks the first gathering after Congress's electoral setbacks in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav expressed their inability to attend the earlier scheduled meeting. Concerns over opposition unity arise amidst differences between parties, with Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin managing the Cyclone Michaung situation. Despite claims of no infighting, regional leaders expressed discontent after Congress's losses, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
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The meeting is expected to address crucial issues such as seat-sharing among INDIA bloc partners, a matter that was stalled due to the Congress's anticipation of favorable results in the three states. Lack of seat-sharing agreements in the contested states added to discontent, with Akhilesh Yadav expressing dissatisfaction over the outcome in Madhya Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party contested 69 seats with minimal success.
Discussion on joint election campaigns ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election is anticipated. The INDIA bloc, comprising 27 alliance partners, last convened in Mumbai in September, establishing coordination committees.
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