Opposition Bloc INDIA To Finalise Seat-Sharing By September 30

There is indication that the one-on-one contests will be the preferred formula. This means only one Opposition candidate will be fielded against the BJP on every seat, which will stem the division of votes. The idea had received support at the earlier opposition meets in Patna and Bengaluru.

Sources said most of the participants stressed on the need for concluding seat-sharing discussions at the earliest. Several leaders expressed apprehension about early polls. There was also suggestions that rallies should be held in different states, sources said.

The other agendas at the meet include choosing a logo for the alliance and setting up a coordination committee, sources had said. The alliance is also likely to hold discussions on whether to have a convenor or not and a joint action schedule for the 2024 elections.

The informal meet -- held ahead of a dinner hosted by Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray -- finalised the agenda for tomorrow's formal meeting. 63 representatives from 28 political parties are attending the meet."The meeting was good. You will know the details tomorrow," Mr Thackeray told reporters.

The two new parties include the Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWP), a Marxist political party in Maharashtra.  There is also a request from three northeast parties -- Asom Jatiya Parishad, Rajor Dal, Anchalik Gan Manch-Bhuyan -- to join and this would be discussed by the opposition bloc, reported news agency Press Trust of India.

Earlier today, YS Sharmila, the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, met Sonia Gandi in Delhi amid speculation that she might merge her YSRTP with the Congress.

"Met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Constructive discussions took place. The daughter of Y S Rajasekhar Reddy would relentlessly work towards benefiting Telangana people," she told reporters after the meeting.

There has been speculation about Ms Sharmila growing closer to the Congress since she met Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in May to congratulate him on the party's victory.

Congress's Milind Deora said the BJP was "rattled" as it did not expect so many parties from numerous states to come together.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "The meeting of 'Ghamandia Gathbandhan' is going to take place in Mumbai today. These parties have done scams and corruption worth Rs 20 lakh crores. It's a selfish alliance...Their agenda is maximum profit from corruption".