‘Maha-Gatbandhan’ Mumbai Chapter: “INDIA is becoming a formidable force by the day, and INDIA’s opposition is getting scared”, says Thackrey

The Mumbai chapter of the Opposition Alliance INDIA’s meeting comes to an end with the formation of a 14 member coordination and election strategy committee, who will oversee the functioning of the alliance. 'Judega BHARAT, Jeetega INDIA’, is the tagline of INDIA, and all their activities will be reflective of this theme. 

The leaders of the Opposition had put their heads together over August 31 and September 1, formulating a strategy to face the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP Government head on during the all-important 2024 Lok Sabha election, in their attempt to ‘save’ Mother India from the ‘dictatorial regime’ of the BJP Government. 

A resolution passed by the Opposition coalition said, "We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together as far as possible." Moreover, the leaders have assured that the various nuances of the alliance will be thought out and put to action in a ‘collaborative spirit of give-and-take.’  

A 14 member coordination and election committee was formed at the meet, who will work toward fine tuning the minor details of the coalition. In addition, a campaign committee, a social media committee and a working group for media was also formed, constituting leaders from the Opposition Bloc. The Mumbai chapter was also going to witness the logo of INDIA, however, due to disagreements, it was held back. The INDIA Alliance is swiftly working towards resolving the question of seat sharing in their respective states, asserting that there is not much time left for the polls. The idea of having a convener of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance was also discussed in the third meeting of the opposition parties. 

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Shiv Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackrey said, “INDIA is becoming a formidable force by the day, and INDIA’s opposition is getting scared. Our unity is in all country-lovers coming together. This is not just our fight, but the fight of every Indian citizen. We stand for India, the whole of India is our family. Elucidating the ‘Mitro’ (friend) culture that is propagated by the ruling BJP Government, Thackrey said, “It’s time for this mitro culture to end. Before the elections, Modiji said sabka sath sabka vikash. However after winning the elections their moto changed to sabko laat aur sirf mitro ka vikash.” Thackrey concluded his speech by saying that the united INDIA alliance is an alliance that works for the people of India, unlike the ‘jumlebaaz’ (theatricians) running a ‘tanasahi’ (dictatorial) regime. 

Taking a swipe at PM Modi and the genre of ‘fear’ politics that he practices, senior Congress leader Mallickarjun Kharge said that the PM has weaponized central agencies such as the ED and the CBI to threaten the Opposition. Calling out the Prime Minister’s apathy over the Manipur issue and the impromptu ‘special session’ of the parliament, Kharge said, “Modi did not call for a special session when Manipur was burning, he didn’t call one when the country was grappling with the Covid crisis, neither did he call for a session when China was taking over Indian land. Now, suddenly he has called for a special session, no one knows why.” 

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar stated that the political parties have come together, setting their differences aside to free India of the BJP. Moreover, commenting on the ‘sorry state’ of the media in the country, he said, "This government has gagged the press, they have lost the freedom to unabashedly do their job and question the wrongdoings of the government. Once the BJP loses, the INDIA alliance will ensure that the press too is free to do their work, devoid of any restrictions. Freedom of the press is very important for the functioning of the government.” 

Rubbishing the claims of purported feuds between the political parties of the Indian Alliance and giving out a message of camaraderie and unity, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "Those at the helm are trying their very best to break this alliance. They must know that there are no feuds between us. We are not power hungry, we have not come here for a post. We have come here to take India forward."

Exuding confidence, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “I am confident that INDIA will defeat the BJP…. This stage represents 60% of India’s population. If the parties on this stage unite, it is impossible for BJP to win the election.” Taking about the media reports that link PM Modi and the Adanis, Gandhi said that the nexus between Modi and a particular business man is something for the world to see. “The G20 summit is taking place, and for the sake of our nation’s credibility, it is essential that the PM calls for an enquiry on the Adani group,” he added. Shedding light on the Chinese incursion, and his recent visit to Ladakh, Rahul Gandhi said, “PM Modi is lying about China not taking land. Clearly an accommodation happened between the government and the Chinese.” 

At the Mumbai meeting, the Opposition Parties gave out a message of unity and comradeship at the face of what the ‘dangers’ posed by the ruling BJP Government. They have resolved to work together in tandem, towards a common goal, that is to save Mother India.