Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Initially Resisted 'I.N.D.I.A' Name for Opposition Front Ahead of 2024 Elections

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Initially Resisted ‘I.N.D.I.A’ : Opposition parties in India held a meeting in Bengaluru to strategize for the 2024 elections and decided on the name “I.N.D.I.A” for their alliance, standing for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. However, this decision was reportedly met with initial resistance from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Nitish Kumar raised objections over the acronym ‘I.N.D.I.A’, citing similarities with ‘NDA’ (National Democratic Alliance), the coalition led by the ruling BJP. He suggested alternative names such as ‘India Main Front’ and ‘India Main Alliance’. He eventually agreed to the name ‘I.N.D.I.A’ after most parties approved it.

Other leaders, including from Left parties, also expressed their reservations and proposed different alternatives such as ‘Save India Alliance’ and ‘We for India’. To differentiate the new alliance from the NDA, the ‘D’ in ‘I.N.D.I.A’ was defined as ‘Developmental’ instead of ‘Democratic’.

There’s confusion regarding the attribution of the name ‘I.N.D.I.A’. While some reports suggest Mamata Banerjee proposed it, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad stated that it was Rahul Gandhi’s idea.

The alliance also announced its tagline ‘Jeetega Bharat’ (India will win), decided in detailed consultations. The next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai, hosted by Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena.

Leaders also discussed the potential face of the coalition. This and other details will be decided by an 11-member coordination committee, including all major parties, and a ‘secretariat’ will be set up in Delhi for campaign management.

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi speculated that Nitish Kumar left the Bengaluru meeting early because he was disappointed at not being named Convener of the new coalition.