Leaders of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, are expected to convene in Delhi this week for a significant meeting. This gathering will mark their first major assembly since the Lok Sabha election results were announced on June 4. The previous meeting of the bloc took place on June 1, just before the election results were declared. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, did not attend that meeting due to simultaneous elections in West Bengal.
Sources indicate that the TMC will participate in this upcoming meeting, which aims to strategize and consolidate opposition efforts ahead of upcoming state elections. Although the exact date for the meeting has not been confirmed, several top opposition leaders are already in Delhi for the ongoing Parliament session.
Notably, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray arrived in the national capital on Tuesday and is expected to engage with other key opposition figures. The forthcoming state elections in Maharashtra and Haryana are crucial for the opposition, which aims to challenge the BJP’s dominance in these states following a strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
The INDIA bloc, which commands 234 seats in the Lok Sabha compared to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s 293, has been actively presenting a united front against the central government. On Tuesday, INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest outside the Parliament building, demanding the withdrawal of an 18 percent GST on life and health insurance premiums. This protest followed their demonstration on the opening day of the 18th Lok Sabha session, where they held copies of the Constitution to signal their commitment to democratic values.
In addition, the opposition had previously united to challenge the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker. Congress MP K. Suresh contested the position against Om Birla, who was ultimately elected via a voice vote, with the opposition refraining from pushing for a formal vote.
Sources By Agencies
