Kharge Named INDIA Bloc Chairperson, Nitish Turns Down Convenor’s Post: Report

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has been named chairperson of the INDIA Opposition bloc.

The decision was taken during Saturday’s virtual meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, reported Hindustan Times.

Nitish Kumar was given the post of convenor, but the Bihar chief minister has refused to accept it.

According to JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, who was present at the meeting, Nitish said someone from Congress party should take up the responsibility.

Nitish will consider the role only if all 26 parties of the bloc wanted him, The Indian Express reported. It was learnt that Trinamool Congress (TMC) is opposed to Nitish as convenor.

Those who skipped Saturday’s meeting — including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee – will be informed about the decisions.

An official intimation from the INDIA bloc is awaited.

The alliance, formed to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP juggernaut in the 2024 general election, had been facing challenges from within over several issues, including the contentious appointment of a convenor. The JD(U) wanted Nitish Kumar as the convener but was being opposed by the TMC, reported PTI.

Saturday’s meeting was to review seat-sharing in different states, participation in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and other alliance-related issues.

Congress leaders apart, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and fellow-DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi attended the meeting via video conferencing from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, respectively.