Mallikarjun Kharge in touch with leaders of all INDIA bloc parties for seat-sharing, says Congress

There have also been demands for having an office and a spokesperson of the Opposition alliance, where 28 parties have come together to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Also read: Discussions have started on next INDIA bloc meeting: Bihar DyCM

‘In touch with leaders of all parties’

“Kharge is in touch with leaders of all parties of the INDIA bloc on how best to give structure to ensure closer coordination in alliance,” AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said.

He said the Congress president has also talked to all leaders, including Nitish Kumar, and decisions on key issues within the alliance will be taken soon.

Ramesh also said that discussions have started with all political parties, with some being in an advanced stage and some still in the initial phase.

“Talks on seat-sharing with TMC in West Bengal and with JD(U) in Bihar are expected to take place in a day or two,” he said.

“There is clarity among leaders on seat-sharing. Clarity is fast developing with all parties on seat adjustments,” the Congress leader said, adding that the Congress leadership is committed to going the extra mile to accommodate all the allies.

Also read: Congress says Lok Sabha candidates to be decided soon

‘Held preliminary talks for seat-sharing’

The Congress held preliminary talks for seat-sharing in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party for Maharashtra and with the Samajwadi Party for Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.

The seat-sharing talks were held at the residence of Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, who is also the convener of the Seat Sharing Committee set up for the purpose by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Salman Khurshid were also present during the deliberations.

Sources said that seat-sharing talks will again be held among top leaders of the three parties including Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, who are likely to meet Sonia Gandhi around January 14 and 15.

Talks were also held separately between Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders for Uttar Pradesh, where Ram Gopal Yadav and Javed Ali were present and the next round of dialogue with AAP and the SP would be held on 12 January.

The Congress is holding talks with various constituents of the INDIA bloc state-wise before seat-sharing is finalised with them.

The opposition alliance is seeking to contest all Lok Sabha seats unitedly to take on and defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.

Also read: Mallikarjun Kharge needs to assert caste leader identity

Public meetings across the country

Earlier, Kharge had said that INDIA bloc parties will focus on seat-sharing talks at the state level and hold public meetings across the country, stressing that any decision on the prime ministerial candidate will be taken only after the elections.

Sources said that INDIA bloc parties have decided to finalise seat-sharing by the second week of January.

Addressing a press conference after a meeting of top leaders of the INDIA bloc, Kharge said, “All INDIA parties unanimously decided how to take the alliance forward. At least 8-10 meetings will be done together across the country.”

“If alliance members don’t come on the same stage, people will not come to know of the alliance. Everyone agreed to it,” he said.

The Congress president said seat-sharing talks will be held at the state level and, if any issues arise, INDIA bloc leadership will address them.

“Whether Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Bihar, UP, Delhi, or Punjab, the issues on seat-sharing will be resolved,” he said.

When asked about possibly being the prime ministerial face of the alliance, he said, “We have to win first and think about what to do to win. What is the point in discussing PM before having MPs. We will try to get a majority together.”

(With PTI inputs)