13-Member Committee, Seat-Sharing, United in 2024: Key Decisions in INDIA Meet

After an informal meeting on Thursday, 31 August, members of the India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) coalition held formal discussions on Friday, 1 September, in Mumbai, in which a 13-member coordination committee was established.

The alliance also passed a resolution to contest the 2024 elections together "as far as possible," and resolved to come up with coordinated strategies for campaigns.

Who are the 13 leaders in the coordination committee?

The committee comprises the following leaders:

• Sharad Pawar, NCP

• KC Venugopal, Congress

• Tejaswi Yadav, RJD

• Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT)

• Lalan Singh, JD(U)

• Abhishek Banerjee, TMC

• Raghav Chadha, AAP

• Hemant Soren, JMM

• Mehbooba Mufti, PDP

• Omar Abdullah, NC

• MK Stalin, DMK

• D Raja, CPI(M)

• Javed Ali Khan, SP

What were the decisions taken in the meeting?

In a statement, the alliance said:

"We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together as far as possible.

Seat-sharing arrangements in different states will be initiated immediately and concluded at the earliest in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take.

We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to organise public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance.

We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to coordinate our respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme 'Judega Bharat, Jiteega India' in different languages.

Judega BHARAT, Jeetega INDIA!"

Who said what at the meet?

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar stated that they discussed the problems of the country and had been "chalking future strategies for the same for the past two days."

"All parties came to the state. Be it Shiv Sena or the Congress or members of the NCP, they all did their part in organising this meet, I thank them for that. They call us 'ghamandia' but it only shows their arrogance. They cannot see people coming together for the betterment of the nation."

Sharad Pawar, NCP supremo

'Opened Bank A/C Thinking I'll Get the 'Promised' Swiss Bank Money': Lalu Yadav

Talking about the issues in the country, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said that "minorities are not safe in the country, poverty is on the rise and tomatoes have become tasteless because of rising prices."

"You might remember how much they lied to come to power. They claimed that all of us have money in Swiss Bank. He said he will bring the money back and get Rs 15 lakh in every Indian's accounts. My children and wife also opened accounts hoping we will get that money back."

Lalu Yadav, RJD chief

Rahul Gandhi Says 'INDIA' Represents 60% of the Country

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he was "impressed" with the way all political leaders have "minimised" and "ironed out" their differences.

"This stage represents 60% of the Indian population. If the parties on this stage unite, it is impossible for the BJP to win. The task in front of us to come together in the most efficient way possible. The first step is the coordination committee and committees under that committee. And the second is to expedite seat sharing across parties."

Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader

'BJP Is Rattled by Unity of Secular Forces': Sitaram Yechury

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury took a dig at BJP stating that they need be kept out of power to save the Constitution.

"The sharing of seats will vary from state to state but the general underlining is clear – it is to save democracy, equality for all, and justice for all."

Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) leader

'Most Corrupt Govt of Independent India': Arvind Kejriwal

AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the BJP would deliberately try to portray infighting in the INDIA alliance but that is not true.

"This is not an alliance of political parties but of 140 crore Indians. The Modi government is the most arrogant and corrupt of independent India. They consider themselves bigger than God and such a mindset perishes soon."

Arvind Kejriwal, AAP chief

'Taking India Towards Dictatorship': Kharge Slams BJP

Addressing the media, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the BJP government was slowly moving towards dictatorship.

"I have been for politics in 55 years and have been an MP or MLA for 52 years. But I have never seen such gross misuse of central agencies. They did not consult Business Advisory Committee or Leader of Opposition before calling for a special session of the Parliament. They did not convene special sessions for Manipur or COVID or when the country was suffering due to demonetisation."

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress chief

'BJP Has Looted India': Uddhav Thackeray

Attacking the central government, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said that the coalition has resolved to have a "fear-free India."

"They have reduced gas prices, yes. But why did they skyrocket for five years? They looted for five years and are now giving concessions ahead of elections."

Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief