Lok Sabha polls: Mallikarjun Kharge named INDIA bloc chief
What's the story
In a significant development ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was named chairperson of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc on Saturday.
Reportedly, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was another candidate for the top spot. However, the Janata Dal (United) supremo rejected the post, ANI reported.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The appointment came during the INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting on Saturday to discuss agendas like seat-sharing, participation in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and other matters related to the alliance.
Seat sharing is viewed as a major aspect, especially after numerous leaders of the alliance stressed the significance of creating a one-on-one fight with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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Kharge's name earlier proposed as PM face
At the previous meeting, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee suggested Kharge's name as the alliance's prime ministerial candidate. The proposal was backed by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
On the other hand, the final call regarding the convenor post of the INDIA bloc will be made after consulting with Banerjee and Samajwadi Party (SP) head Akhilesh Yadav.
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AAP, Congress held talks on seat-sharing on Friday
Saturday's meeting comes after senior leaders from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) met on Friday to discuss seat-sharing arrangements in states like Punjab and Delhi ahead of the general polls.
The Congress wants four seats in Delhi and seven in Punjab, but the AAP is unwilling to oblige. In both Delhi and Punjab, the ruling party wants the majority of seats.
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Seat-sharing challenges for INDIA bloc
In Uttar Pradesh too, seat-sharing can be challenging because the SP is unlikely to forget the fact that the Congress refused to share any seats in the recent assembly elections.
Seat-sharing talks between the TMC and the Congress also hit a snag in West Bengal, with the TMC suggesting a willingness to give up two or three seats, an offer rejected by the Congress.