Cong panel holds talks with state units on INDIA poll pacts for 2024

The Congress' five-member national alliance committee led by Mukul Wasnik has concluded talks with nearly all state units barring Punjab for possible poll pacts in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. While there are varying degrees of reluctance to alliance in many states, the local units largely see seat adjustments as the best option for the party, Congress leaders indicated.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

During the internal discussions, the quality of seats, the current political situation, the depleted strength of allies in some areas, the heightened pitch of the Bharatiya Janata Party's mixing of religion with politics after the inauguration of the Ram temple on January 22 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ground situation and the realistic possibility of vote transfer if rivals work together were among the issues that had come up, they said, seeking anonymity.

The panel is ready to share its inputs with the Congress high command on the prospects of alliance in different states, a member said. The high command is likely to hold discussions with alliance committee in the next 2-3 days. Discussions with allies over seats will start after that. The other panel members include former Union minister Salman Khurshid, two former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel and party veteran Mohan Prakash.

"Before talking to allies, we had to first discuss with our own state units. We spoke to them to know their demands, their issues and their stand on alliance," party functionary said. "... we have more or less completed our discussions and are ready to brief the party high command."