INDIA bloc parties to focus on seat sharing, no decision on PM face

Mamata, Kejriwal propose Kharge’s name as PM candidate; let’s win first, says Cong chief  : Gathering of corrupt leaders, says BJP

PTI, New Delhi, Dec 19, 2023 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said that INDIA bloc parties will focus on seat-sharing talks at the state level and hold public meetings across the country, stressing that any decision on the prime ministerial candidate will be taken after the elections.

Sources said INDIA bloc parties have decided to finalise seat sharing by the second week of January.

Addressing a press conference after a meeting of top leaders of the INDIA bloc here, Kharge said, "All INDIA parties unanimously decided how to take the alliance forward. At least 8-10 meetings will be done together across the country."

"If alliance members don't come on the same stage people will not come to know of the alliance. Everyone agreed to it," he said.

The Congress president said seat-sharing talks will be held at the state level, and if any issues arise, INDIA bloc leadership will address them.

"Whether Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Bihar, UP, Delhi or Punjab, the issues on seat sharing will be resolved," he said.

Asked about the prime ministerial face of the alliance, he said, "We have to win first, and think what to do to win. What is the point in discussing PM before having MPs. We will try to get a majority together".

At the meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal proposed Kharge's name as the prime ministerial candidate of opposition bloc INDIA, MDMK chief Vaiko said.

Sources, however, said there was no final decision on the issue.

Kharge also said INDIA parties passed a resolution condemning the suspension of opposition MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and will hold a protest on it on December 22.

Significantly, while Vaiko said Kharge's name was proposed by Mamata and Kejriwal, other leaders, on the condition of anonymity, maintained that there was no final decision on the issue during the meeting. 

After his name was proposed as a candidate to become the country's first Dalit Prime Minister at the meeting attended by 28 opposition leaders here, Kharge said: "I work for the downtrodden. Let's win first, then we will see. I don't seek anything." 

Mamata after her arrival in the national capital on Monday, had told reporters that any decision on the Prime Ministerial face of the alliance will be taken after the election. "When so many political parties are together, it is a democracy, with different states, different views and different opinions, but ultimately INDIA is a platform where we are fighting together," said the TMC supremo. 

"The BJP doesn't have any allies. The NDA is gone. We are not like that. It will be better, after the elections, we have to see the results, and then announce the PM candidate. All parties will decide that, " Mamata had said. 

"You can decide how a party can do better for the people and motherland. You have to give priority to the people of India. What is going on right now is autocracy, which is not desired by anyone," she said. 

The BJP, on the other hand, called the INDIA bloc meeting as a gathering of "corrupt leaders." BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya remarked: "INDIA bloc is a grouping of corrupt leaders who have come together to fight the BJP. The people will give them a befitting reply, just like in 2014 and 2019.