New Delhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress party, has been named as the chairperson of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a bloc comprising various opposition parties.

According to Kashmir Media Service, that leaders of the INDIA bloc held a virtual meeting to discuss the alliance’s structure and strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for April-May. The meeting, however, saw the absence of representatives from key opposition parties including the Trinamool Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, and the Samajwadi Party.

During this meeting, there was a consensus on the appointment of Kharge as the chairperson of the bloc. An official announcement regarding this appointment is still pending. The INDIA bloc, which unites as many as 28 opposition parties, aims to present a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party in the forthcoming national elections.

Additionally, the leaders proposed to appoint Bihar Chief Minister and JD (U) president Nitish Kumar as the Convener of the bloc. However, a final decision on this will be made after consultations with the parties whose representatives did not attend the meeting.

This development marks a significant step in the opposition’s efforts to consolidate its position and strategize for the impending Lok Sabha elections, which are crucial in shaping the political landscape of India.