New Delhi:
Opposition bloc INDIA has decided to finalise seat sharing by September 30 at the informal meeting held on the first of its two-day meet. Sources said the alliance formula will be implemented by state committees of the parties.
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There is indication that the one-on-one contests will be the preferred formula. This means only one Opposition candidate will be fielded against the BJP on every seat, which will stem the division of votes. The idea had received support at the earlier opposition meets in Patna and Bengaluru.
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The other agendas at the meet include choosing a logo for the alliance and setting up a coordination committee, sources had said. The alliance is also likely to hold discussions on whether to have a convenor or not and a joint action schedule for the 2024 elections.
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“We will be sitting and discussing a Common Minimum Programme,” veteran leader Sharad Pawar told reporters yesterday. “We have yet to start the dialogue for seat sharing. There is a chance that we might discuss this issue,” he had added.
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63 representatives from 28 political parties will attend the meet of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on August 31 and September 1.
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Earlier today, YS Sharmila, the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, met Sonia Gandi in Delhi amid speculation that she might merge her YSRTP with the Congress.
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“Met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Constructive discussions took place. The daughter of Y S Rajasekhar Reddy would relentlessly work towards benefiting Telangana people,” she told reporters after the meeting.
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There has been speculation about Ms Sharmila growing closer to the Congress since she met Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in May to congratulate him on the party’s victory.
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Congress’s Milind Deora said the BJP was “rattled” as it did not expect so many parties from numerous states to come together.
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The Opposition has claimed credit for the Rs 200 subsidy for cooking gas announced by the Centre earlier this week. “The price of the gas cylinder has been reduced by 200 rupees. That’s because of INDIA meet,” said Sanjay Raut, senior leader of Mr Thackeray’s party.
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BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, “The meeting of ‘Ghamandia Gathbandhan’ is going to take place in Mumbai today. These parties have done scams and corruption worth Rs 20 lakh crores. It’s a selfish alliance…Their agenda is maximum profit from corruption”.
