Unity in diversity

The process of naming the opposition alliance reflected the keenness of the parties to come across as a united force despite inherent differences

- SONI MISHRA

INDIA, THE NEW name for the opposition alliance, has got widespread coverage on the news already. But, the inside story of how the leaders of 26 opposition parties who gathered in Bengaluru for a two-day meeting arrived at the name Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance is a study in the dynamics of the varied outfits and the efforts underway to get over their differences, or, at least get the optics right.

It is learnt that the name was originally the idea of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi. According to sources, on the evening of July 17, at the dinner hosted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for opposition leaders attending the conclave, Rahul told a senior party leader that he was keen on the name INDIA, but he wanted West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee to suggest the name at the meeting the next day.

For Rahul to route the name through Mamata was an extremely interesting decision. The Congress state unit is up in arms againsT the Trinamool in West Bengal, especially with regard to the violence that took place during the recent panchayat elections. Mamata and Rahul have not had a particularly cordial relationship in the past. However, during the opposition meeting in Patna, Mamata helped calm down matters when the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party got into an altercation over the Centre’s ordinance on Delhi’s bureaucracy. This gesture was appreciated by Rahul. Mamata suggesting the name was also perhaps intended to convey the impression that the leaders were keen to rise over differences.