Opposition leaders convene in Patna to forge anti-BJP front for 2024 Lok Sabha polls
Patna, June 23: The city of Patna is currently witnessing a significant gathering of top leaders from various opposition parties, who have come together to devise a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The meeting, hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, marks a crucial starting point for the opposition parties to unite against the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Sources reveal that the primary objective of this meeting is to establish a basic outline and strategy for opposition unity, while temporarily setting aside contentious issues such as seat-sharing arrangements and leadership questions. The leaders understand the significance of presenting a united front against the BJP, and discussions will revolve around formulating a collective approach to counter the ruling party's influence.
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Prominent attendees at the meeting include Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann from Punjab, MK Stalin from Tamil Nadu, Hemant Soren from Jharkhand, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP President Sharad Pawar.
The gathering represents a diverse coalition of regional and national leaders committed to opposing the BJP in the upcoming elections.
In the run-up to the crucial meeting, differences within the opposition ranks became apparent, with sources from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suggesting that they would withdraw from the meeting if the Congress did not promise its support against the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. All eyes are now on the meeting's agenda, as the AAP hopes to include the issue of the ordinance in the discussions.
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The Congress, however, has maintained an ambiguous stance regarding its support for the AAP on the matter, especially when it comes to the ordinance being tested in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, before departing for Patna, stated that his party would make a decision on the issue before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. He questioned why there was extensive discussion on the matter outside Parliament when it should be deliberated within the legislative framework.
Meanwhile, ahead of the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence in the ability of all opposition parties to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections by presenting a united front. He criticized the BJP for allegedly dividing India and spreading hatred and violence, emphasizing that the ongoing struggle in the country is one of ideologies.
The opposition meeting in Patna serves as a crucial milestone in the efforts to establish a formidable anti-BJP coalition for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While specific details about the strategies discussed are yet to be revealed, it is evident that the leaders present are determined to challenge the BJP's dominance and provide a viable alternative to the current government.
The path towards opposition unity and electoral success will likely be shaped by the deliberations held during this significant gathering in Patna.
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- With inputs from agencies
