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The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- the new alliance name adopted by the opposition parties on the second day of the mega meeting in Bengaluru was proposed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, sources told India Today. In the meeting, the former Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad pitched the name INDIA against NDA (National Democratic Alliance) to take on the BJP in the upcoming national election.

According to sources, the Congress scion suggested the name INDIA as the Opposition bloc's elementary aim is to defeat the BJP-led NDA, which Rahul Gandhi said was "against" the idea of India.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda, on Monday, said that 38 partners of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have confirmed their participation in the July 18 meeting. "38 partners will participate in this meeting. In the past nine years, NDA's scope has increased. Political parties from every corner of the country have joined the NDA's development politics," Nadda said while addressing a press conference in the national capital.

The CPI(M) and an Independent Rajya Sabha MP on Monday lodged police complaints against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that the BJP leader has made a "hate speech" against the 'Miya' community on the previous day.

The state Trinamool Congress has written to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud seeking judicial action against Sarma also for the same remark against the 'Miya' community, a term used for Bengali-speaking Muslims of Assam.

In a significant development, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Monday decided to be a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Confirming the development, the BJP on Monday said that Chirag Paswan has decided to join the NDA alliance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. BJP chief J P Nadda, who met Chirag Paswan in Delhi, welcomed him into the "NDA family". The development comes a day ahead of the ruling National Democratic Alliance meeting.

Paswan also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and described his discussion on the issues related to the alliance with BJP as "positive". Nadda had earlier invited Chirag Paswan to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting that is scheduled to be held on July 18.

Former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha on Monday asserted there was "no alternative" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and berated the opposition for uniting with the "sole agenda" of dislodging him from power.

Kushwaha, who quit Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) a few months ago to float a new outfit, however, kept his cards close to the chest when asked whether he will be taking part in the NDA meeting scheduled in Delhi on Tuesday.