INDIA alliance Mumbai meet: Leaders moot coordination, seat-sharing panel and Logo

Mumbai: The third meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc in Mumbai mooted that seat-sharing talks should happen at the level of state units, instead of it being discussed at the top. This means that squabbles over seat sharing may take longer to resolve as state units of parties like Congress are averse to having an arrangement with Aam Aadmi Party. There has been no official confirmation on the subject yet as talks are still ongoing. Many Opposition leaders are keen to send out a message that they are united and a viable alternative to BJP. A coordination committee of around 15 people to finalise a seat-sharing formula was also mooted.

Leaders of the front, including 11 chief ministers, arrived in Mumbai on Thursday for confabulations to take on BJP. Some leaders of INDIA constituents said the agenda included smoothening the process of seat sharing and mooting a coordination committee to hammer out a seat-sharing formula. "Once the formula is decided, we could hold seat-sharing talks. More than seat sharing, we need to decide on a national agenda or a common minimum programme on key issues. This is more important," a Congress leader said.

Informal talks are already on and issues of a logo for the grouping would be revealed on Friday. Appointing spokespersons across the country to air the views of the bloc would be one of the agenda's for the meeting. Around 10 spokespersons from different parties and states may be formalised. If the parties are able to reach a consensus on the spokespersons, the parties could reach an understanding that only the spokespersons would speak on issues concerning the bloc.


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One of the leaders claimed that the meet could explore the possibility of having a strong social media presence and a common handle to take on BJP. According to the leader, a common handle could project opposition unity while taking on BJP. Another idea that would be deliberated would be on having a cell in every state to take on the BJP. There is also a suggestion to have a convenor for the bloc. The name of Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar has been mentioned in this regard. However, certain leaders said that there were disagreements on having a convenor as it would create an impression that the person heads the alliance.