'Everyone Wants Mallikarjun Kharge To Lead INDIA Bloc': NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar After Consensus On Congress Chief's Name

NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday backed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after consensus emerged among the INDIA bloc members over the latter's name as the chairperson of the opposition bloc. "A meeting of INDIA Alliance was held under the chairmanship of Mallikarjun Kharge. We had a discussion that we all will take a decision on seat sharing as soon as possible. It was suggested by some that the alliance should be headed by Mallikarjun Kharge and everyone agreed.''

Pawar further revealed that a committee has been formed to strategize plans in the upcoming days. On the matter of who should assume the role of convenor, Pawar mentioned, "Everyone suggested that Nitish Kumar should take responsibility as the convenor, but his opinion is that the one who is already in charge should continue."

 

Pune, Maharashtra: On INDIA alliance meeting held today NCP chief Sharad Pawar says, "A meeting of INDIA Alliance was held under the chairmanship of Mallikarjun Kharge. We had a discussion that we all will take a decision on seat sharing as soon as possible. It was suggested by… pic.twitter.com/srau7LH9QW

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2024

 

In response to a question about the post-election scenario, Pawar expressed, "After the elections, if we get the majority, then we would be able to give a better option to the country..."

The remarks from the veteran Maharashtra politician came shortly after a consensus emerged on appointing Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as the chairperson of the opposition bloc. The decision was reached during a virtual meeting of I.N.D.I.A. leaders.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge conveyed his satisfaction with the ongoing seat-sharing discussions. In a social media post, he shared, "Everyone is happy that the seat-sharing talks are progressing in a positive way. I, along with Rahul Gandhi, invited all INDIA Parties to join ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’."

Nitish Kumar Declines Convenor Role

Notably, INDIA bloc leaders aimed to make Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar the convenor, but he declined the position. The meeting, attended by representatives from various parties, excluding Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, emphasized the importance of national unity and discouraged state-level rifts within the alliance.

The coming together of 28 opposition parties under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) signals a formidable challenge to the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.