NEW DELHI: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been elected as the Chairperson of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA); the main opposition bloc fighting the BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections. However, an official announcement in this regard is yet to be made. Leaders, including Sharad Pawar, have confirmed this. INDIA bloc will be facing the election without highlighting the prime ministerial candidate.

There was no agreement on who should be the convener. Although various parties, including Left parties, demanded JDU leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to become the convener, he refused to accept the position. Sources said that Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal CM Mamata's strong opposition is the reason behind Nitish Kumar's stance.

Though unwilling to give in to the Congress on seat-sharing, everyone agreed that Kharge should take the post of chairperson. It is estimated that the front will gain strength when it is led by a Dalit leader who is acceptable to all parties.

Although Mamata Banerjee did not participate in the virtual coordination committee meeting, she had earlier demanded that Kharge should lead the front. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also did not attend the meeting. It is hinted that Akhilesh Yadav stayed away from the meeting due to a dispute over seat allocation.

NCP President Sharad Pawar, DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Aam Aadmi Party Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were present. A special committee was formed to hold rallies across the country.

Chairman from South, Convener from North
Nitish Kumar's party JDU wants him to be the convener. The JDU believes that the team of Kharge from South India and Nitish from North India will send a positive message to the people. Meanwhile, NCP leader Sharad Pawar said there was no dispute about the post of convener and that Nitish refused to take up the post.