Opposition Meet: Challenges Remain As Decision On Seat Sharing And Appointment Of Convenor Deferred

After meeting for two days, the 26 opposition parties have officially named their alliance and have resolved to present an "alternative political, social and economic agenda" to counter the BJP.

However, the challenge of determining seat-sharing arrangements remains a significant hurdle.

Consequently, the parties have decided to approach the matter "step by step" and have postponed discussions on seat-sharing at a state-to-state level.

They have also deferred the appointment of a convener for the alliance until the next meeting in Mumbai next month.

In a joint statement called 'Saamuhik Sankalp,' the parties have identified common issues on which they seek to target the BJP-led government. They have pledged to bring about a transformation in the substance and style of governance, making it more consultative, democratic, and participative.

While the joint statement does not explicitly mention relevant issues like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), it emphasizes the alliance's commitment to issues such as combating alleged "hatred" and "violence against minorities"; addressing the alleged rising "crimes against women, Dalits, Adivasis, etc."; advocating for a fair hearing for socially, educationally, and economically backward communities, and initiating the implementation of the Caste Census.

The parties have made a resolution to counter the "systemic conspiracy by BJP" that aims to target, persecute, and suppress fellow Indians. They condemn the BJP's "campaign of hate".

In their statement, they also said that the BJP's campaign not only violate constitutional rights and freedoms but also erode the fundamental values on which the Republic of India is built.

The statement also sought to criticize the government on the trouble in Manipur, and resolved to fight alleged attack on the federal structure of the country.

This comes even as NDA held a mega 38-party meet in Delhi, which also saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.