HD Deve Gowda sees no need to join I.N.D.I.A or NDA camps

"I can talk volumes about other political parties. What is this I.N.D.I.A? Whatever it is, I can speak volumes. I can take their names, but I do not want to hurt any leader. They are my old friends. Let things carry on.

"When (HD) Kumaraswamy took oath (as Karnataka chief minister), how many leaders came here (Bengaluru)? Where are they?" he asked.

"No need (to join I.N.D.I.A or NDA camps). Time will decide what the future of this nation is going to be. That is all I can appeal to all of you. Time itself will decide what is going to happen. Please cooperate," he told reporters at party headquarters here on Monday.

Deve Gowda made these remarks responding to a query on his decision not to join either the I.N.D.I.A and NDA. He was referring to the disintegration of the united front ahead of the last Lok Sabha elections after its leaders came together at the oath-taking ceremony of Kumaraswamy as Karnataka CM in May 2018.

Meanwhile, BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra dubbed the I.N.D.I.A alliance meeting in Mumbai as a 'musical chair' between the opposition parties.

"You all know that GM (Ghamindia meeting) is taking place in Mumbai. These parties have done scams and corruption worth Rs 20 lakh crores.

"This 'musical chair' between the opposition parties doesn't need any explanation. Such opposition meetings are not new to us, be it 2014 or 2019," he said addressing a press conference at the party's national headquarters in Delhi.

The I.N.D.I.A camp is holding its third meeting in Mumbai to discuss its plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

NCP (Sharad Pawar Group) President Sharad Pawar has said there is a possibility of the leaders discussing seat-sharing.

The alliance leaders may also hold discussions on setting up a secretariat, to enhance coordination between all member parties. It is also speculated that more regional outfits will be joining the alliance during the two-day meeting.