Mallikarjun Kharge named INDIA bloc chief at key meet, Nitish Kumar's name proposed as convener

Tribune News Service

Aditi Tandon

New Delhi, January 13

A key meeting of the anti-BJP INDIA bloc on Saturday agreed on the name of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as chairman of the opposition alliance with the name of Bihar chief minister and JDU chief Nitish Kumar proposed as convener.

Sources said the appointment of Kharge and Nitish would be announced together as and when it happens.

CPI general secretary D Raja, who attended the virtual meeting of the bloc, told The Tribune that the proposal to name Kharge as alliance chairman was accepted at the meeting.

Raja said though Nitish Kumar's name as convenor of the bloc was also proposed, it would be announced after Kharge consults TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who were not present at the meeting.

Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray was also absent. He had nominated Sanjay Raut to attend but Raut could not join the meeting.

Kharge's name was proposed and accepted by all bloc leaders as earlier suggested by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

The leaders also discussed the progress on seat-sharing talks and resolved to conclude these as early as possible.

A physical meeting of the alliance is expected during or before the upcoming interim budget session to discuss joint programme ideas, strategies and issues for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who attended the meeting, said he would conclude seat-sharing talks after Pongal.

The parties feel the nomination of Kharge as chairman of the INDIA bloc will help galvanise vast sections of marginalised votes behind the bloc at a time when the BJP is actively pursuing a campaign plan to woo the poor, women, farmers and youth.

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