New Delhi, Dec 19  : Amid large-scale suspension of opposition MPs in both Houses of Parliament, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) on Tuesday announced nationwide protests on December 22 as the bloc’s top leaders discussed key issues like seat sharing and strategising for the 2024 general elections.
Holding its fourth meeting here with 28 anti-BJP political parties taking part, the bloc condemned the suspension of MPs for raising their voice of protest against the Parliament security breach.
“We have passed a resolution and condemned the suspension of MPs in both Houses which is undemocratic. We all have to fight to save democracy and all of us are ready to do that,” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, briefing the media on the deliberations.
“These MPs were raising the issue of parliament security breach and were seeking statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the House but he refused to do so,” he added.
Informing about the next course of action on the issue, Kharge said, “This is the first time at least 151 MPs have been suspended from both House. We will fight against this and a nationwide protest will be held on December 22 against the suspension.”
On seat sharing, he said all members of I.N.D.I.A bloc will work on the matter, and the issues in Delhi and Punjab will be resolved after discussions.
Responding to queries from media persons about the Prime Ministerial face of the bloc, Kharge said “Our first priority is to win the general election and then we will decide on it”.
Kharge said everyone came together and talked about strengthening the alliance. The alliance parties will raise the issues related to the interest of the people.
This was the first meeting of I.N.D.I.A bloc members after the recent results of five state Assembly polls in which BJP won in the race in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh in the Hindi Heartland, while the Congress managed to win in Telangana. A regional party Zoram Peoples Movement ascended to power in Mizoram.
The I.N.D.I.A meeting, which was earlier slated for December 6, had been postponed.
The I.N.D.I.A bloc held this meeting to deliberate on various points including seat sharing, making strategy and deciding on a joint campaign for upcoming 2024 general elections.
Senior leaders of the I.N.D.I.A bloc including CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi and Bihar counterparts Arvind Kejriwal and Nitish Kumar. besides NCP (Sharad Pawar Group) chief Sharad Pawar were present.