The Story Behind INDIA: Who Came Up With It And Alternatives Suggested

According to Congress leaders, it was Rahul Gandhi who came up with the idea. The party suggested the name to a few allies well before the meeting, to test the waters.

It took two days of discussions and many suggestions before the 26-member opposition front zeroed in on the name "INDIA", an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

According to Congress leaders, it was Rahul Gandhi who came up with the idea. The party suggested the name to a few allies well before the meeting, to test the waters.

Congress leader KC Venugopal, a close aide of the Gandhis, reportedly had several conversations with opposition leaders, including Derek O'Brien, a leader of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.