The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance ( I.N.D.I.A; ) is a big tent political alliance of 28 political parties in India led by the Indian National Congress. The primary objective of the alliance is to take down the ruling National Democratic Alliance government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Indian general elections.
Etymology
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, commonly known by its backronym I.N.D.I.A., is an opposition front announced by the leaders of 28 parties to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The name was proposed during a meeting in Bengaluru and was unanimously adopted by the 28 participating parties. While some sources attribute the suggestion of the name to Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), others mention that it was suggested by Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and chief minister of West Bengal.
History
1st Meeting: Patna, Bihar: Coordination for unity
The first Opposition parties meeting held in Patna, Bihar was chaired by Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar on 23 June 2023, when the proposal for a new alliance was put on the table. The meet was attended by 16 Opposition parties.
2nd Meeting: Bengaluru, Karnataka: Formal formation
The second Opposition parties meeting, held in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 17 & 18 July 2023.It was chaired by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi when the proposal for an alliance was accepted and ten more parties were added to the list. The alliance's name was finalized and given the name Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. At this meeting, it was announced that the third meeting will be held in the city of Mumbai.
3rd Meeting: Mumbai, Maharashtra: Preliminary plans
The third Opposition parties meeting was held in the city of Mumbai from 31 August to 1 September 2023. The meeting was hosted by Shiv Sena (UBT) president, Uddhav Thackeray and saw Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and chief ministers of 5 states in attendance. Over the two-day deliberations, the alliance discussed major electoral issues for the upcoming general elections, carved out the coordination committee, and passed a three point resolution to fight 2024 Indian general elections together 'as far as possible'.
Organisational Structure
Member parties
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance comprises a diverse range of political parties from across India. The 27 member parties of the alliance are:
Ideology and objectives
According to the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the alliance's ideology revolves around the principles of developmentalism, inclusivity, and social justice. By combining their efforts, the member parties aim to protect democratic values, promote welfare and progress, and counter what they perceive as an ideology that threatens the idea of India. It was formed with the objective of defeating the incumbent BJP led NDA in the 2024 Indian general election.
Resolution
The alliance passed a three point resolution in its Mumbai meeting on 1 September 2023 to collectively contest 2024 Indian General elections.
We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together as far as possible. Seat-sharing arrangements in different states will be initiated immediately and concluded at the earliest in a collaborative spirit of give-and-take.
We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to organize public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance.
We, the INDIA parties, hereby resolve to coordinate our respective communications and media strategies and campaigns with the theme Judega BHARAT, Jeetega INDIA in different languages.