00:00 The countdown for the big India meet in Mumbai has begun.
00:04 Let me tell you what we know so far regarding the agenda of the meeting and the names of
00:10 two parties from Maharashtra that will be among the parties who will be inducted in
00:15 the India alliance during the meeting that HW News English was told exclusively by Maharashtra
00:23 Congress Working President Naseem Khan.
00:26 But before that, if you are watching this on Facebook, do like our page and if you are
00:31 watching this on YouTube, do subscribe to HW News English.
00:36 Leaders from 28 opposition parties, including chief ministers of six non-BJP ruled states,
00:42 will participate in the India meeting.
00:44 The alliance leaders will meet informally over a dinner hosted by Shiv Sena Uddhav Bala
00:49 Seth Thackeray, Chief Uddhav Thackeray at the Grand Hayat in Mumbai.
00:54 The formal meeting, which will last at least four hours, is scheduled for 11 am on September
00:59 1st at the same venue.
01:02 The India alliance is likely to discuss strategies for the 2024 elections.
01:08 Issues such as seat sharing will be discussed and several other agendas will be finalized.
01:14 According to reports, the India alliance logo is also likely to be unveiled.
01:19 During the last meeting in Bengaluru, the opposition alliance had got its name India.
01:24 Conveners for different states are also likely to be named.
01:27 HW News English also spoke to Naseem Khan, senior Congress leader and working president
01:32 of the Maharashtra Congress Committee, who has been working closely behind the scenes
01:37 for the preparations of the meeting.
01:39 Speaking to HW News English, Mr. Naseem Khan said, "The Maharashtra Vikas Agadi comprising
01:44 of Congress, Shiv Sena UBT and the NCP Sharad Pawar are unitedly looking after the preparations
01:51 for the grand success of the meeting.
01:53 When asked about why Mumbai has been selected for the India meeting, Mr. Khan said, "As
01:58 Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and the India alliance members were in consensus
02:04 for Mumbai to be made a venue for the meeting."
02:07 Besides, Vanchit Bahujan Agadi Chief Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Babasaheb Ambedkar,
02:13 had expressed his willingness to join the India coalition.
02:17 However, Mr. Ambedkar claimed that there has been no invitation from the Congress or any
02:22 of the other parties that are part of the India coalition in Maharashtra.
02:27 When asked whether Mr. Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Agadi could join the India alliance
02:31 in Mumbai, Mr. Khan said, "There is no proposal from Mr. Ambedkar's party yet.
02:37 The induction of parties is decided by the national-level leaders of the India alliance,"
02:42 Mr. Khan said.
02:43 Mr. Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Agadi, who fought in an alliance with Asaduddin OS's
02:48 AIMIM in 2019, could not win a single seat, however, received more than 7% vote share.
02:56 Mr. Khan further said, "Shetkari Kamgar Paksh, which is also called as Peasants and
03:01 Workers' Parties of India, along with Raju Shetty's Swabhimani Paksh, along with 10
03:07 other smaller parties, will be part of the India alliance."
03:10 Interestingly, these two parties were earlier trying to unite smaller parties in Maharashtra
03:16 to form a third front to build an alternative to the BJP anti-Congress, and were trying
03:21 to approach the KCR-led BRS party, which is trying to find its space in Maharashtra.
03:28 Let's listen in to what Mr. Naseem Khan has said.
03:32 Sir, the India alliance is scheduled to meet on 31st and 1st.
03:37 What preparations have been made for that?
03:41 India is the host of the Mahavikas Aghadi, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena, Rashtrawadi,
03:52 Parashar Dwarji, and many other regional parties.
03:59 The third meeting was held in Patna, Bihar, then in Bangalore, Maharashtra, and is scheduled
04:14 to be held on 31st and 1st in Mumbai.
04:18 So, the host of the Mahavikas Aghadi is there.
04:21 We are trying to make all possible arrangements for the meeting, including the facilities
04:31 of the metro, transportation, and other facilities, to make it a success.
04:39 We are trying to make all possible arrangements for the meeting, including the facilities
04:46 of the metro, transportation, and other facilities, to make it a success.
04:47 Mr. Naseem, you have worked very closely for this meeting.
04:51 So, I would like to know why Mumbai is important for the Mahavikas Aghadi?
04:55 Why is Maharashtra and Mumbai important?
04:57 First of all, Mumbai is a part of Maharashtra.
05:01 Secondly, Mumbai is a part of this country, which you call a state.
05:06 The leaders of the India alliance have decided to sit in different parts of the state and
05:15 at the same time, the Maharashtra-Mumbai alliance is also getting affected.
05:19 One last question.
05:21 The chief of the Vanchit Bhaujan Aghadi, Prakash Ambedkar, has said that if he is invited,
05:27 he will definitely join.
05:29 And there is news that some parties are going to join.
05:32 So, what would you say about this statement about Vanchit Bhaujan?
05:36 Can they join?
05:37 We have not received any such proposal from the Maharashtra Congress yet.
05:43 And as far as joining the India alliance is concerned, the parties that are on the national
05:49 level, we do not decide.
05:54 Number two.
05:55 Number three, the small districts in Maharashtra, such as the farmers' workers' party and
06:03 Rajiv Shetty's party in Kolhapur, Hathranga, the 12 parties that were formed last day,
06:15 the Jain party and Rajiv Shetty's party, which is being led by them, the Secretary of
06:21 the State Council has requested to join the India alliance and their request has been
06:28 accepted and they have been included in the India alliance.
06:32 So, there has been no confirmation about Vanchit Bhaujan yet, sir?
06:37 I have no information about it.
06:40 Thank you very much, sir.
06:41 Thank you very much for joining.
06:42 Thank you.
06:43 That's it for this report.
06:46 For more such news and updates, subscribe to HW News In English.
06:49 [MUSIC]
Comments