India Alliance meeting on Dec 19; when will seat allocation process conclude? Will Cong agree to fewer seats in some states?

 

A meeting of the opposition India Alliance is scheduled for December 19. Credible sources within the India Alliance have indicated that the seat allocation process will be concluded within the next 12 days, specifically by December 31. Additionally, there are plans from India Alliance to approach the 2024 Lok Sabha election not as a coalition of diverse parties but as a singular party or organization.

In both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was at the forefront. However, the Congress faced defeat on both occasions, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, assuming power. 

For the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election, the opposition has united under India Alliance to challenge the BJP. Several meetings of this coalition have taken place, yet a decision on the coordinator for India Alliance remains pending. 

Meanwhile, previous meetings have led to the formation of various committees within the India Alliance. According to a senior leader of India Alliance, decisions have been made in these meetings, including the activation of these committees, the establishment of an independent office for India Alliance, and the appointment of an independent spokesperson—all to be implemented immediately after the upcoming meeting on 19 Dec.

While India Alliance gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress may encounter challenges in certain regions. In the recent five-state elections, Congress secured victory only in Telangana. In other states, the performance of allies, including Congress, proved to be ineffective. 

Cong is anticipated to receive fewer seats

Consequently, there is speculation in political circles that, post the five-state elections, Congress may seek to increase its share of seats in the Lok Sabha. Particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal, Congress is anticipated to receive fewer seats.

Samajwadi Party can offer only 7-8 seats to Cong in UP

In Uttar Pradesh, the state with the highest number of Lok Sabha members, Congress needs at least 22 seats, but the Samajwadi Party can offer only 7-8 seats. In Maharashtra, due to the Shiv Sena and NCP split, Congress expects more seats, but Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar aim to contest all seats, creating potential controversies in some states.

Although the India Alliance has not experienced any substantial controversies thus far, some leaders within the alliance have made statements against other coalition parties, sparking discussions in political circles. Prominent figures such as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, and Congress leader Kamal Nath have been part of these discussions.