24 Opposition parties raise alarm over Pahalgam attack probe, US mediation claims, and voter deletions in Bihar; demand PM Modi’s presence during key debates
New Delhi, July 19— In a significant show of unity ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, 24 parties of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) met virtually on Saturday to finalise their common agenda and coordinate floor strategy to corner the BJP-led Centre on a range of pressing national issues.
The meeting was attended by top leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, J&K’s Omar Abdullah, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, among others.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Congress Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Pramod Tiwari said, “There was complete consensus on national security being severely compromised under the BJP regime.”
Unanimous Condemnation of Govt Inaction on Pahalgam Attack
The bloc sharply criticised the Modi government’s failure to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed multiple lives nearly three months ago.
“Even after 90 days, there is no trace of the attackers,” Tiwari said, questioning the Centre's commitment to national security.
Trump's Ceasefire Claims Spark Concern
Members also raised alarm over former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
“Trump has made this claim 24 times, yet PM Modi has remained silent,” said Tiwari, adding that the Prime Minister's refusal to respond raises questions about India's foreign policy autonomy.
Bihar Voter Deletion Drive Under Fire
The bloc also took strong exception to what it termed as a "murder of democracy" unfolding in Bihar.
According to Tiwari, the BJP-led voter deletion efforts under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process have led to names being removed based on political bias, amounting to an undeclared emergency.
Foreign Policy Failures: China, Pakistan, Gaza
INDIA members further slammed the Modi government for a string of foreign policy failures, citing strained relations with Pakistan, China, and India's ambiguous stance on Gaza.
They demanded that Prime Minister Modi must personally attend and answer during Parliament debates on these matters.
Focus on Delimitation, Atrocities, and Regional Issues
The alliance also plans to spotlight issues such as:
- Delimitation and electoral fairness
- Rising atrocities on SCs, STs, women, and minorities
- Neglect of regional issues, which will be addressed by state-based parties during the session
Physical Meeting Soon, Virtual Meet Marked by Unity
Tiwari said the virtual meeting was “free, frank, and congenial,” and a physical meeting of the INDIA bloc will be scheduled shortly to further sharpen their strategy.
The 24 parties that participated in Saturday’s meeting included:
Congress, DMK, TMC, Samajwadi Party, RJD, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), National Conference, PDP, JMM, IUML, KC(M), MDMK, VCK, RSP, KC(J), KMDK, AIFB, MMK, PWP, and RLP.
As the Monsoon Session begins Monday, all eyes will be on how India’s most expansive Opposition coalition in decades executes its coordinated attack on the floor of the Parliament.