Opposition Bloc in India Resolves to Contest Lok Sabha Elections Together, Forms Coordination Panel
During a Mumbai meeting, the Opposition bloc in India passed a resolution on Friday, resolving to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections together as much as possible. The resolution also called for immediate initiation of seat-sharing arrangements in various states. Additionally, a 13-member coordination committee was formed by the Opposition bloc. This move comes in response to the Union Government’s announcement of a special parliamentary session from September 18 to 22, which has stirred political discussions and raised expectations of significant decisions ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The resolution stated, “We, the Indian opposition 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 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,” reads the… pic.twitter.com/sfpmuqYVfC
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2023
The government’s decision to establish a committee to study the feasibility of “one-nation, one-election” also drew criticism from the leaders of the 28 opposition parties attending the Mumbai meeting. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously discussed the possibility of early Lok Sabha elections.
In response to the “one-nation, one-election” proposal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut emphasized the opposition’s demand for fair elections, stating, “We demand fair elections, not ‘one nation one election.’ This move of ‘one nation one election’ is being brought to divert attention from our demand for a fair election.”
CPI leader D Raja questioned the government’s decision to make such a significant move without consulting other political parties. He emphasized the importance of consulting with all parties, given India’s status as the “mother of democracy,” as frequently mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The rising political tension has prompted a sense of urgency among the opposition bloc, with Mamata Banerjee urging the Indian opposition bloc to release its manifesto by October 2 and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal calling on opposition parties to finalize the sharing agreement by the end of September.
