Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed nine AICC Secretaries to oversee the coordination, mobilization, and logistical arrangements for the "Hai Taiyaar Hum" national-level rally scheduled to take place in Nagpur on December 28, 2023.

The appointed AICC members entrusted with these responsibilities are P.C. Vishnunadh, MLA, Qazi Nizamuddin, Sanjay Kapoor, Dheeraj Gurjar, Chandan Yadav, B.M. Sandeep, Chetan Chauhan, Pradeep Narwal, and Abhishek Dutt. Their roles will be crucial in ensuring the successful organization of the rally, a significant event on the Congress party's agenda.

The fourth meeting of the Opposition's 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc concluded in the national capital. During the session, the assembly passed resolutions addressing concerns related to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and also discussed the matter of the suspension of Members of Parliament from participating in parliamentary activities.

The meeting unfolded amid increasing political tensions between the Opposition and the BJP-led central government, driven by the demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on the recent Parliament security breach.

The resolution states, "INDIA parties reiterate that there are many doubts on the integrity of the functioning of the EVMs. These have been raised by many experts and professionals as well. There is widespread demand for a return to the ballot paper system."

It suggested handing VVPAT slips to voters for separate placement in a ballot box, ensuring 100% counting. This, it believes, restores confidence in fair elections. In the fourth meeting, 28 parties presented their views. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated a resolution against the undemocratic suspension of MPs.

"We have passed a resolution that suspension is undemocratic. We will all have to fight to save democracy, and all of us are ready to do that. We raised the issue of security breach in the Parliament. We have been saying for a long time that Union HM Amit Shah or PM Modi should come to the Parliament and speak in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha about the issue of Parliament security breach, but they are refusing to do so," Kharge stated.

With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaching in four months, seat allocation is crucial for the Congress amid recent electoral setbacks. The opposition alliance has not finalized a prime ministerial candidate, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized that such decisions would follow the elections. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that campaigning and seat-sharing discussions would commence soon, and a convenor for the alliance has not been selected yet.

In the INDIA bloc meeting, JMM MP Mahua Maji focused on seat sharing discussions and mentioned talks about the Prime Ministerial face, deferred until after winning elections. On including BSP, MP Shyam Singh Yadav expressed personal support, citing the strengthened opposition in Uttar Pradesh if all parties contest together.

The INDIA parties aim for unity against the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In the Mumbai meeting, they emphasized collective contesting and a commitment to finalize seat-sharing arrangements through mutual agreement.

Image source: ANI