08 January,2024 12:24 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
INDIA bloc leaders
The INDIA bloc has begun seat-sharing talks, signalling the start of substantial pre-election talks for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress has led the way in forging critical coalitions in Punjab and Delhi, most notably with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Participating in these sessions, AAP's delegate and MP, Sandeep Pathak, emphasised the party's focus on states where it holds elected posts and organisational influence. In these discussions, Pathak emphasised the significance of knowing the desires of local entities, a report in ANI stated.
According to the report, Pathak also expressed confidence in the seriousness of all parties concerned, emphasising the importance of quick decision-making while expressing happiness that things are heading in the right manner.
"Discussion will be held over all the important, critical states where we have elected representatives and organisational strength," Pathak told ANI adding, "It is certain that all the partners are serious. The only thing is it should be done as early as possible. Rest, everything is going in the right direction."
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Regarding the AAP-Congress seat-sharing conversation, Sandeep Dikshit highlighted that their national leadership is aware of their views. While their issues with the AAP primarily concern the Delhi administration, he stated that decisions on future partnerships and seat distribution are still waiting, the ANI report stated.
"Our national leadership knows our opinion...Our conflicts with AAP are with respect to the Delhi government...It will be decided later if there will be an alliance, if it happens then who'll contest which seats? I just hope that if an alliance happens then its details should be decided as soon as possible so that we can also prepare for it," he said.
Congress spokesman Abhishek Dutt voiced confidence in the INDIA bloc's capacity to win all seven Delhi seats, citing trader dissatisfaction with the current federal government's policies. Dutt said, "Traders in Delhi are fed up with the current (central) govt and their policies. They are tired of sealing, GST and many other policies. The centre granted loan waivers to big industrialists. Crores of loans were waived. So many traders had to leave their businesses during the coronavirus period but this government never took an interest in helping them. We will fight unitedly and win."
With the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls less than four months away, the distribution of seats is becoming increasingly important for Congress, especially in light of recent electoral defeats, the ANI report added.
It further stated that with the 2024 Lok Sabha polls nearing, the political environment in India is changing. INDIA is preparing to take on the established National Democratic Alliance. The group, however, faces difficulties in finalising seat-sharing arrangements and deciding on a viable Prime Ministerial candidate. Meanwhile, the BJP has already begun implementing tactics outlined in 2023 to strengthen its position for victory in the forthcoming General Elections.