Opposition leaders belonging to the INDIA bloc on Monday announced a coordinated strategy centred on five key national issues following a meeting attended by representatives of 23 political parties in the national capital.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said the alliance had reached a consensus on a common set of issues that it would collectively pursue in the coming months.
“There has been consensus on five issues, and we are all united in raising them,” Yadav said.
Taking aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Yadav also questioned the current electoral process and remarked, “If the election is held using ballot papers, the BJP won’t stand a chance.”
The meeting resulted in the opposition alliance adopting a five-point framework focused on electoral concerns, education-related issues, economic challenges, organisational coordination and parliamentary strategy.
Among the issues discussed was the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and concerns raised by opposition parties regarding voter lists. The alliance decided to formally approach the Chief Justice of India with a letter outlining its concerns. Leaders said the communication would be submitted at the earliest opportunity.
The opposition also collectively demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister over what it described as failures linked to the conduct and management of major examinations, including NEET and CBSE examinations. Alliance leaders argued that irregularities affecting students across the country required accountability at the highest level.
Economic issues formed another major part of the discussion. Leaders highlighted rising unemployment, inflation and difficulties faced by farmers. The bloc called on the Central government to convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on these challenges and explore possible solutions.
To strengthen coordination among member parties, the INDIA bloc announced that formal meetings would be held every two months. The next gathering of alliance leaders is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad in August.
The alliance also outlined plans for greater coordination during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. According to leaders present at the meeting, daily morning coordination meetings will be conducted at the office of the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, to ensure a unified approach on parliamentary matters.
The meeting was held at the Constitution Club of India and brought together leaders from across the political spectrum.
The Congress delegation included Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Trinamool Congress leaders Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee also attended, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Other prominent participants included National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule.
Representatives of Left parties, including D Raja of the Communist Party of India and John Brittas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), were also present. Independent Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal attended the meeting alongside representatives from regional parties such as the MDMK and VCK.
While most leaders participated in person, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren joined the discussions virtually.
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