Amid the heated political scene in India, a wave of name-changing fervor has swept through the nation’s political corridors. In what appears to be a direct response to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rebranding itself as ‘I-N-D-I-A’, the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has rallied behind the slogan “BJP for BHARAT”.
Taking to Twitter, the Assam CM articulated his stance, emphasizing the significance of shedding the colonial vestiges. In his tweet, he highlighted the historical context, stating, “Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat. BJP for BHARAT.”
While targeting the Congress, the Chief Minister mentioned that the British-given name of India had been accepted by the grand old party. However, this particular tweet has since been deleted, signifying the intensity of the political discourse surrounding the renaming.
I.N.D.I.A vs Modi in 2024: UPA rebrands as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance at Opposition meet
Today, amidst a gathering of opposition parties in Bengaluru, a noteworthy development unfolded. The United Progressive Alliance, helmed by the Indian National Congress, has rebranded itself as ‘I-N-D-I-A’ (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance). This acronym is expected to serve as a unifying force for the 26 opposition parties strategizing to face the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) collectively in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
With the anticipation and suspense building up, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge finally addressed the eagerly waiting media to make the announcement. “Our alliance will be called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance,” he proclaimed with an air of confidence, as if symbolizing the unity and strength behind the newly formed coalition.
This momentous decision was reached during a high-profile gathering of 26 Opposition leaders currently underway in the vibrant Karnataka capital. Chaired by the experienced and influential former Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, speculations abound that she may assume the role of the alliance’s chairperson, while Nitish Kumar might take up the position of its convener.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal, expressing their enthusiasm, was quick to take to Twitter to share the alliance’s new identity. However, intriguingly, they later deleted the tweet, leaving some to wonder if there were more surprises yet to be unveiled. As the two-day convention in Bengaluru unfolds, the focus remains firmly fixed on devising a united strategy to take on the BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
The meeting not only sought to reveal the alliance’s name but also served as a platform for discussing crucial matters like seat-sharing and choosing a prime ministerial candidate. Although these contentious issues were set aside for future deliberations, the fervor and determination to defeat the ruling party were palpable.
In a significant development on the Indian political landscape, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi has faced disqualification as a Member of Parliament (MP) after a conviction and jail sentence in a defamation case. The conviction stems from comments he made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname during an election rally in 2019. Consequently, unless his legal appeal proves successful, Rahul Gandhi will be ineligible to contest in next year’s elections.
The opposition parties, despite being at odds with each other in states like West Bengal and Delhi due to differing political ideologies, are finding common ground in their shared anti-BJP sentiment. The opposition recognizes the importance of looking past their internal differences to forge a united front against the ruling party.
The recent meeting of opposition parties, chaired by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, aimed at consolidating a formidable alliance against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a key figure in the opposition ranks, described the meeting as “constructive” and “fruitful,” emphasizing their shared resolve to challenge the BJP.
While some reports speculate that Sonia Gandhi may be named the president of the opposition’s alliance, there has been no official confirmation yet. On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA is also convening a meeting of its 38 allies in Delhi to solidify its position ahead of upcoming elections.
In response to the opposition’s efforts, BJP president JP Nadda has criticized the meeting, alleging that it is founded on “the politics of selfishness.” As the political landscape intensifies, the opposition faces internal challenges like defections and a lack of unity among senior state leaders. However, their shared anti-BJP sentiment seems to be propelling them forward with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to challenge the ruling party’s dominance in the upcoming elections.
