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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India /Elections & Politics

INDIA bloc meeting, minus DMK, tomorrow; Congress denies internal rifts

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The INDIA bloc of opposition parties will hold a meeting on June 8, with 23 parties confirmed to attend.
  • Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated the alliance remains united despite some parties opting out, citing "respective reasons."
  • The DMK will not attend due to alleged "betrayal" by Congress in Tamil Nadu, while the TMC will participate.

India's opposition INDIA bloc is set to convene a crucial meeting on June 8, with 23 political parties confirming their attendance at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asserted that the alliance remains united, even as some parties choose to skip the gathering for their own reasons.

Ramesh highlighted that the absent parties have still conveyed their strong opposition to the central government's policies. He listed concerns including the government's actions on voting rights, alleged attacks on the constitution, targeting of opposition leaders, economic hardships for citizens, rising inflation, and compromises on national interests through foreign policy.

...They have strongly opposed those policies and actions of the Modi government that are stripping millions of Indians of their right to vote, attacking the Constitution daily, targeting opposition leaders through investigative agencies, causing serious harm to the livelihoods of crores of Indians, continuously disrupting household budgets through relentless inflation, betraying the hopes and aspirations of lakhs of youth, weakening the investment climate, and compromising national interests through their foreign policy. Like India, INDIA Janbandhan stands united with its diversity.

โ€” Jairam RameshRamesh detailed the opposition's shared grievances against the central government in an 'X' post announcing the INDIA bloc meeting.

The meeting's significance is amplified by the BJP's growing political dominance and internal differences within the bloc. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced it will not participate, citing a "betrayal" by Congress in Tamil Nadu. This decision stems from Congress backing the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after the recent elections, a move that soured relations between the DMK and Congress, despite Congress contesting polls within the DMK-led alliance and winning five seats.

Despite the DMK's absence, the DMK stated it will continue to voice concerns on national welfare issues brought forward by other INDIA bloc members. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee is attending the meeting, which occurs after her party's performance in the West Bengal assembly polls and amidst reports of internal dissent and potential party splits.

as always, to raise its voice on issues affecting the welfare of the nation that may be brought forward by the other parties participating in the meeting

โ€” DMKThe DMK stated its continued commitment to national issues despite its decision to skip the INDIA bloc meeting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.