Seat sharing in the India alliance has not been finalized yet.
The responsibility for this rests on Congress, the largest party of the alliance. However, according to information received from sources, the oldest party of the country has prepared its list.
Party leaders on Thursday discussed the number of seats in states where they are contesting for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as differences with allies may arise.
Sources said Congress leaders from various states presented their aspirations and assessed how many seats the party can secure while holding talks with India alliance partners.
Congress leaders have given the opinion to the party high command that a compromise formula can be prepared only if the Congress demands more numbers.
For Bihar, state leaders said that Congress can secure 10-12 seats out of total 40.
Together with the left parties we can demand 25. Congress leaders said that they want to form an alliance and are ready for it. It was also said that seat allocation should be adjusted based on the priorities of JDU and RJD.
Party leaders from Jharkhand said they should claim at least 12 seats out of the total 14 and should not settle below seven.
Sources said Uttar Pradesh leaders have placed a huge demand for 40 seats, but expressed hope of securing 20 seats through talks with the Samajwadi Party. There are total 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Congress leaders from West Bengal suggested demanding six seats and possibly getting at least four from TMC. Earlier sources said that TMC has offered only two Lok Sabha seats to Congress.
Party leaders from Punjab have expressed their desire to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone. It is noteworthy that the National Alliance Committee of Congress has not yet submitted its report for Punjab.
The committee on Thursday met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi and apprised them of the reaction of state units on seat sharing with other parties in the All India alliance for the Lok Sabha elections. The panel said state-wise talks with alliance partners would begin soon.
At the opposition alliance meeting held in New Delhi on 19 December 2023, the allies decided that the seat-sharing arrangement would be completed by 31 December, but the deadline has passed.