01 June,2024 05:05 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
INDIA bloc leaders at Mallikarjun Kharge`s home in Delhi/ Screengrab
The opposition-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) coalition is now convening at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in the national capital. This meeting occurs on the polling day of the final round of the Lok Sabha elections, with vote counting expected for June 4.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC president Mamata Banerjee did not attend the conference due to impending elections in her state and the necessity to assess the impact of Cyclone Remal. Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP chief, is also absent, reported ANI.
Leaders from Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, JMM, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) gathered at Kharge's residence for discussions. Attendees include Congress Parliamentary Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, KC Venugopal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP leader Raghav Chadha, and Sanjay Singh.
Per the ANI report, also in attendance are RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, DMK's TR Baalu, CPI's D Raja, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury, CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai, and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Farooq Abdullah.
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Congress chief Kharge shared a video of the meeting on X, stating that leaders are meeting informally to evaluate preparations for the impending vote count. "We have fought the #LokSabhaElections2024 with all our might and are confident of a positive outcome," Kharge said.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera stated on Friday that the party will not debate exit surveys, preferring to wait until the official results are disclosed on June 4, the report added.
Due to the Lok Sabha elections and Cyclone Remal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chose to prioritise relief efforts over attending the conference. "My priority is to take care of the victims, provide shelter, and help them," she stated.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is an alliance of 28 opposition parties aiming to confront the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Voting for the final 57 parliamentary constituencies commenced at 7 a.m. today in seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Previous polling phases occurred on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25, with results to be released on June 4.
