Mumbai ,UPDATED: Sep 1, 2023 13:18 IST
The unexpected entry of Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal into the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc’s two-day meeting in Mumbai left Congress leaders miffed, sources said on Friday.
Sibal was not an official invitee to the meeting, they added.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also complained about Sibal’s sudden visit to former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is also a part of the INDIA meet.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi said he had no objection to anyone whatsoever.
A video showed Kapil Sibal standing with the leaders of the Opposition, away from Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge while they posed for a photo session.
Kapil Sibal left Congress last year and was backed by the Samajwadi Party for Rajya Sabha.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT INDIA MEET?
On Friday, top leaders of the Opposition bloc INDIA initiated crucial discussions to give structure to their cooperation and crystallise their plans for seat sharing and a common agenda to take on the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Sources also said that the opposition grouping should have a team of spokespersons who would speak on behalf of the alliance. They will also discuss issues relating to having a convenor for the bloc.
During the formal talks in the third round of meetings, the opposition leaders are likely to come out with a joint statement and announce the coordination panel besides some sub-panels to give proper shape to their poll plans.
Leaders, who have gathered here from across the country, will move forward on specific issues like setting up a coordination committee and forming subgroups to work on their common agenda, media strategy, joint actions and programmes.
During informal talks over dinner on Thursday night, the leaders stressed the urgency to finalise seat sharing and come out with a joint agenda in a few weeks’ time, sources said.
