The day 2 of the opposition parties meeting in Bengaluru has made an important decision regarding the renaming of UPA (United Progressive Alliance). Reports claim that the UPA will now be renamed 'INDIA' or 'I.N.D.I.A', an acronym for 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance'.
Making an announcement on the name of opposition front, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Our alliance will be called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)."
"The next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai, the date will be announced soon. An 11-member coordination committee will be set up. Names of committee members will be announced in Mumbai," Kharge said.
Next opposition meeting in Mumbai
After the two meetings in Bihar's Patna and Karnataka's Bengaluru, the united opposition has decided to hold the next meeting of consultation in Maharashtra's Mumbai. This will be the first meeting to be held in a state ruled by ruling BJP and its allies.
"The next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai, the date will be announced soon. An 11-member coordination committee will be set up. Names of committee members will be announced in Mumbai," INC President Mallikarjun Kharge said.
Rahul Gandhi suggested the name for alliance
According to a tweet by Jitendra Ahwad from the Nationalist Congress Party, it was Rahul Gandhi who ultimately proposed the name. Ahwad's tweet expressed admiration for Gandhi's creativity in coming up with the name.
"In the ongoing meeting of opposition parties in Bangalore, @RahulGandhi put forward a proposal to name this alliance as INDIA. His creativity was greatly appreciated. All the parties approved it and decided to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections under the name INDIA. I - Indian N - National D - Democratic I - Inclusive A - Alliance Let's save idea of INDIA. Let's save Democracy of INDIA," Awhad wrote.
'Team India Vs Team NDA': Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi
Some leaders of the opposition parties also tweeted about the 'INDIA' name for the opposition parties alliance. Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) group dropped a hint and tweeted about the probable new name of the UPA alliance.
Official announcement expected at 4 pm
Reports said that UPA will likely be renamed and that an announcement will be made at 4 pm post the meeting. According to news agency ANI, four names were sent as recommendation to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for consideration, reported ANI.
Opposition holding second round of talks
The opposition parties are holding the second round of talks in Bengaluru on July 17-18. A dinner was held in Bengaluru as a show of strength by the opposition parties on Monday (July 17) evening. Close to 50 leaders from 25 opposition parties reached Bengaluru on Monday to participate in the meeting. NCP chief Sharad Pawar reached Bengaluru on Tuesday (July 18) morning to participate on day 2 of the meeting.
PM Modi attacks opposition parties meeting
PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday (July 18), speaking during the inauguration of the new integrated terminal building of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, came down heavily on the opposition parties meeting in Bengaluru.
'Kattar Bhrashtachar Sammelan' (Gathering of extremely corrupt), says PM Modi
On the joint Opposition meeting in Bengaluru, PM Modi said "People of the country say that this is a 'Kattar Bhrashtachar Sammelan'. Another speciality of this meeting is that if someone is out on bail in a corruption of crores of Rupees, they are seen with great respect. If the entire family is out on bail, they are more honoured...If someone insults a community and is punished by the court, he is honoured." "These people want to make the country's democracy and constitution hostage," added PM Modi.
