New Delhi, Jun 8: Senior leaders of the INDIA alliance gathered at the Constitution Club in the national capital on Monday for a high-level meeting aimed at enhancing coordination among opposition parties and shaping a collective political strategy for the months ahead.
The gathering brought together Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, among other prominent figures.
Mamata Banerjee was accompanied by Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, while Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal and representatives of Left parties, including John Brittas, Dipankar Bhattacharya and P. Sandosh Kumar, also participated. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray joined the deliberations virtually.
The meeting assumes significance as opposition parties seek to project unity at a time when differences among some alliance partners have surfaced and political equations continue to evolve across states.
The absence of the DMK drew attention following Congress’ recent understanding with Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a development that has altered existing political alignments in Tamil Nadu. However, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan and Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran attended the discussions.
Speaking before the meeting, K.C. Venugopal said the BJP appeared concerned by efforts to strengthen opposition cooperation. He also brushed aside queries regarding posters targeting Rahul Gandhi that were reportedly displayed in parts of Delhi.
Internal issues within the alliance were also expected to feature in the discussions. CPI General Secretary D. Raja indicated that Left parties would raise concerns over statements made by Congress leaders during the Kerala Assembly election campaign, arguing that such remarks had strained relations between partners.
Raja emphasized that trust, mutual respect and constructive dialogue were vital for sustaining the opposition platform. He reiterated that the alliance was formed to defend democratic institutions and provide a united political alternative at the national level.
The CPI(M), despite expressing reservations over Congress’ campaign against its leadership in Kerala, chose to attend the meeting. Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas represented the party during the deliberations.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said representatives from 23 political parties participated in the meeting. He asserted that the alliance remains committed to collaboration on matters of national importance despite periodic differences among its constituents.
Leaders are expected to deliberate on mechanisms for better coordination, resolving disputes among partners and formulating a shared political agenda ahead of future electoral contests.