INDIA Meet Updates LIVE | 'For 'Fear-Free Country': 14-Member Committee Formed
India Alliance Meeting in Mumbai, Full List of Parties Live: Check updates of the meeting here.
INDIA Meet LIVE Updates: Talks Begin in Mumbai as Joint Photo Shoot Concludes
(Photo: The Quint)
INDIA Alliance Meeting Live Updates: 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 14-member coordination committee was constituted.
Watch the press briefing LIVE here:
The committee comprises of 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
TR Balu, DMK
D Raja, CPI(M)
Javed Ali Khan, SP
One more member of the CPI(M) will be announced later, Sanjay Raut told the media. The alliance also passed a resolution to contest the 2024 elections together and design coordinated strategies for campaigns.
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: NCP)
(Photo: NCP)
(Photo: NCP)
Key decisions taken in the meeting:
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
Organise public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance.
Coordinate respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme 'Judega Bharat, Jiteega India' in different languages.
The coalition had announced on Thursday that seat sharing would be finalised by 30 September.
The meeting on Friday was attended by over 63 representatives across 26 parties.
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Formal Meeting To Be Held on Friday
After an informal meeting on Thursday, 31 August, members of the India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) coalition are scheduled to hold formal discussions on Friday, 1 September in Mumbai.
What's on the Agenda?
The INDIA coalition is expected to decide on a coordination committee and pick a logo for the alliance on Friday, following which a press conference will be held.
Seat Sharing by 30 September
The INDIA coalition had announced on Thursday, 31 August, that seat sharing would be finalised by 30 September.
'BJP is Cheating People': CPI
Binoy Viswam, Secretary, CPI National Council said that the BJP is a party of deceit and a party of cheating the people.
"It is a party that is committed only to support the looters of the country like Adani and it is now known to the people. That's why the people want a change. The JPC is a demand of the country and the CAG reports are before the nation," he told news agency ANI.
'BJP is Scared of INDIA Alliance': D Raja
Commenting on the special session of the Parliament, CPI General Secretary D Raja said that there are many speculations.
"The government has called a special session of the Parliament. What are the issues? What is going to be the agenda? Nobody knows. But there are speculations. But we will face those speculations. Because ever since BJP came to power, Parliament is becoming increasingly redundant... One thing is very clear, BJP and PM Modi are desperate and they are not confident of facing the elections. After seeing the INDIA alliance they are scared," he told news agency ANI.
Lalu, Tejashwi Arrive at Meeting Venue
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha arrived at INDIA alliance meeting venue in Mumbai.
'Why is the BJP so Bothered with the Mumbai Meeting?'
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit commented on BJP leaders targeting the third INDIA Alliance meeting in Mumbai saying that the party is afraid.
"If this Mumbai meeting has no meaning then why are you bothered? Are you afraid? When a person gets afraid of something he puts forward all of his army on the same," he told news agency ANI.
Nitish Kumar Arrives at Mumbai Meeting Venue
Bihar CM and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and Bihar minister Sanjay Kumar Jha arrives at the venue of the meeting of the INDIA alliance in Mumbai.
'Fighting for the Best of INDIA': Mamata Banerjee
"We are fighting for the best of India," said TMC chief Mamata Banerjee while addressing the media ahead of the meeting.
Akhilesh, Mamata, Farooq Abdullah Arrive at Meeting Venue
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah arrived at the INDIA alliance meeting venue in Mumbai.
Sonia, Rahul, Kharge Arrive at Meeting Venue
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi arrived at the venue of the meeting of INDIA alliance in Mumbai.
Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule Arrive at Meetinge Venue
NCP chief Sharad Pawar and party's working president Supriya Sule arrived at the hotel in Mumbai for the meeting of the INDIA alliance.
INDIA Alliance Conducts Photo Session
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
(Photo: Congress)
INDIA Alliance Congratulates ISRO on Chandrayaan-3
In first order of business, the INDIA alliance congratulated ISRO for the successful launch of India's Moon mission with Chandrayaan-3.
"We, the INDIA parties congratulate the entire ISRO family - present and past - for its outstanding achievements which have made our country proud. It has taken six decades to build, expand and deepen ISRO's capacities and capabilities. Chandrayaan-3 has thrilled the world, which is looking eagerly to the launch of Aditya-L1 tomorrow. We hope that the extraordinary accomplishments of ISRO strengthen the spirit of scientific temper in our society and give our youth the inspiration to excel in fields of scientific endeavour," the alliance said in a statement.
'Govt is in Panic Mode': Prithviraj Chavan
Congress leader Prihviraj Chavan said that the Centre is in panic mode.
"One thing is clear, the government is now in panic mode. These things are happening to divert the attention. What is the need to call this special session amidst the Ganesh Chaturthi festival? Are they (Central Government) unaware of Hindu feelings?" he told news agency ANI.
'INDIA will Win': Supriya Sule
INDIA Alliance forms 13-Member Committee
The INDIA alliance formed a 13-member coordination committee comprising of 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
Key Resolution Passed in 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!"
'BJP is Looting INDIA': Uddhav Thackeray
Attacking the Central government, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said that the coalition resolves to have a "fear free India."
"They have reduced gas prices, yes. But why did they skyrocket for fiver years? They looted for five years and are now giving concessions ahead of elections," Thackeray said.
'BJP Taking India Towards Dictatorship': Mallikarjun Kharge
Addressing the media, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the BJP government is 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," Kharge said.
Nitish Kumar Requests Media to be 'Unbiased'
Addressing the media, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar said that the media will not have to live in fear once the BJP is ousted from power.
'Most Corrupt Govt of Independent India': Arvind Kejriwal
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said that the BJP will 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," Kejriwal said.
'I Opened Bank Account Thinking I'll Get Promised Swiss Bank Money': Lalu Yadav
"We have always called for ousting the BJP from power. The minorities are not safe anymore, they don't feel safe anymore. Poverty is on the rise. Tomatoes have become tasteless because of rising prices," RJD chief Lalu Yadav said.
"You might remember how much they lied to come to power. They claimed that all os 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 added.
'BJP is Rattled by Unity of Secular Forces': Sitaram Yechury
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the BJP needs to be kept out of power to save the Constitution.
"The sharing of seats will vary from state to state but teh general underilinig is clear - it is to save democracy, equality for all, and justice for all," Yechury said.
'INDIA Alliance Represents 60% of the Country': Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that key decisions have been taken in order to strategise for the 2024 elections.
"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 said.
"There are difference of course but I am impressed the way they have been minimised and ironed out," he added.
'Chalked Strategies for the Nation for the Past 2 Days': Sharad Pawar
"We had discussions over the problems of the country and 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," Pawar said.
"They call us 'ghamandia' but it only shows their arrogance. They cannot see people coming together for the betterment of the nation," he added.