The INDIA opposition alliance’s consultative meeting began in New Delhi on Sunday, with representatives of 23 parties taking part. From Tamil Nadu, delegates of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) attended.
Senior Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and K C Venugopal were present. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and party leader Abhishek Banerjee also joined the meeting.
Other participants included Mehbooba Mufti (PDP), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Supriya Sule (NCP–Sharad Pawar), Omar Abdullah (National Conference), John Brittas (CPI(M)) and D Raja (CPI). Leaders such as Uddhav Thackeray and Akhilesh Yadav were also among those in attendance.
The DMK did not participate, after announcing it would stay away following its dissatisfaction over Congress joining the TDP-led government after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The Aam Aadmi Party was also absent, as it had exited the alliance after the Lok Sabha election.
The meeting is expected to deliberate on multiple issues, including a roadmap keeping the 2029 Lok Sabha election in view, a joint strategy to take on the BJP-led government, and efforts to resolve differences within the alliance.
