UPA Renamed as INDIA; Bengaluru Opposition Meet Draws to a Close

BENGALURU: The second day of the 2-day Opposition parties meet in Bengaluru saw an important decision taken for the renaming of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) as ‘INDIA’, according to reports.

The full form of INDIA, which is the new united opposition front led by the Congress, is ‘Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance’,

The new name Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance, in short INDIA, was suggested to reflect the mega opposition front that seeks to take on the ruling party, the BJP. The key word here seems to be the word Inclusive, to denote the coming on board of several other parties to form a single entity.

However, sources informed that there were some disagreements regarding the name change as Left parties wanted the word ‘Front’ to replace ‘Alliance’, even as some parties were not too happy at the appearance of ‘NDA’ in the name. Only two ‘I’s separate NDA from INDIA, it would seem.

The mega meeting of the top opposition parties of the country is coming to a close on Tuesday. The meet in Bengaluru was held to chalk out a roadmap for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to reports, the first day of the meeting was an informal one, with some discussions followed by a dinner.

It was at the dinner meeting yesterday that all the participating political parties were asked to suggest names, which would later be discussed and a consensus reached during the meeting on the second day today.

Sources claimed that former UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is slated to be named as the President of the newly formed Front, while Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will be the Convenor.

Notably, Sonia Gandhi carried the mantle as the chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) from 2004 to 2014.

The day’s proceedings also resulted in another decision- to form two subcommittees, one to finalise the common minimum program and communication points, and the other entrusted with the work of planning joint opposition events, rallies, and conventions.

The top leaders at the opposition meet is Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Cong leader Rahul Gandhi, Chief Ministers MK Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren, Mamata Banerjee, and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad.

Senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) leader HD Kumaraswamy did not make an appearance on the first day of the opposition meeting. Sharad Pawar arrived in Bengaluru for the meet on the second day. However, it is unclear if Kumaraswamy will be attending the meeting or not.

Inviting on board all like-minded parties, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “All parties having the will and guts to fight the BJP are welcome.”

Mallikarjun Kharge said that the like-minded opposition parties would work closely together towards an agenda of social justice, inclusive development and national welfare. “We want to free the people of India from the autocratic and anti-people politics of hate, division, economic inequality and loot… United We Stand, for this India,” said Kharge.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge admitted at the meeting that there are differences “between some of us” at the state level. He, however, insisted that these are not ideological and neither so big that these cannot be put behind them for the sake of people who are “suffering” due to policies of the BJP-led government, sources said.

Kharge reportedly told the meeting of opposition parties that the common man and the country’s middle class are suffering due to rising inflation, while the youth are suffering from unemployment, even as the rights of the poor, Dalits, tribals and minorities are being crushed “silently behind the scene”.

He informed that 26 parties are attending the opposition meeting and they were in power in 11 states.

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