A meeting of 26 opposition party leaders in Bengaluru on Tuesday decided to name their alliance ‘INDIA’— Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. The objective of the alliance is to put up a joint front against the incumbent BJP-led central government in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In a joint resolution issued by the alliance, said, “We pledge to present to the nation an alternative, social and economic agenda.” At the end of the meeting in Bengaluru, Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of Indian National Congress, stated that the alliance will soon constitute a 11-member coordination committee to decide on important matters such as seat sharing and Prime Minister candidate for the 2024 elections.
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Economic Agenda
In its joint resolution, the INDIA alliance alleged that the foundational pillars of the Indian constitution are being subverted by the present regime. The economic sovereignty of India is listed as one such pillar that is being “methodically and menacingly undermined” by the BJP-led government. Federalism, which allows for division of powers between the Centre and the states, is also under threat, according to the newly formed INDIA alliance.
The 26-party alliance attacked the 2016 demonetisation move of the Modi government, claiming that it led to hardships for MSMEs (medium, small and micro enterprises) and those in the informal economy. “Demonetisation brought with it untold misery to the MSME and unorganised sectors, resulting in large scale unemployment among our youth,” said the joint statement.
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In the recent past, the Opposition parties have been repeatedly raising the issues of unemployment and price rise in essential commodities against the Centre. Congress chief Kharge tweeted earlier this month: “Both inflation and unemployment are increasing continuously due to the loot of the Modi government. But the BJP is engrossed in the greed for power.”
The BJP government’s divestment strategy was also targeted in the joint resolution issued by INDIA. The opposition said it opposes the “reckless sale of the nation’s wealth to favored friends”. The alliance suggested an economic alternative that will involve a strong and strategic public sector alongside a competitive private sector.
When it comes to the state of federalism in the country, the opposition alliance accused governors and lieutenant governors of non-BJP ruled states of violating constitutional norms. “Legitimate needs, requirements and entitlements of non BJP ruled states are being actively denied by the Centre,” the statement said.
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