In a significant development, leaders from 26 opposition parties are set to participate in a two-day brainstorming session in Bengaluru starting Monday, with the objective of formulating a united strategy to counter the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, according to reliable sources. Notably, the Congress has clarified its opposition to the Delhi services ordinance, meeting a crucial demand put forth by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for their participation in the talks, according to PTI.
The meeting gains prominence against the backdrop of the recent split within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar and the contentious West Bengal panchayat polls that witnessed widespread violence, leading to loss of lives. State units of the Congress and Left parties have accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of oppressive tactics. The opposition parties aim to devise a joint plan of agitation across the country, particularly in light of the NCP's split in Maharashtra.
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Furthermore, the leaders are expected to announce measures to enhance opposition unity in countering the BJP's attempts to destabilize opposition governments and gain control over non-BJP-ruled states through the appointment of governors. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating that several crucial issues would be discussed.
In response, the BJP criticized the opposition, labeling them a "divided lot" with no specific agenda other than defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP President J.P. Nadda accused the opposition of forming an alliance solely to protect their dynastic politics, dubbing the proposed coalition as a "Protection of Dynasties Alliance."
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CPI general secretary D Raja expressed that the two-day session would strengthen the Opposition's resolve to defeat the BJP, uniting secular and democratic parties in the pursuit of safeguarding the nation and democracy.
Noteworthy attendees at the meeting are expected to include Congress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, JMM leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The two-day session will commence with a dinner meeting hosted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, followed by a formal meeting on Tuesday where unity plans will be solidified and further programs will be announced. Opposition parties acknowledge that resolving their differences is essential to effectively challenge the BJP's dominance.
In response, the BJP characterized the meeting as one held by a "fractured" opposition and criticized the Congress's internal differences, asserting that "desperation and confusion" have gripped the party's central leadership. BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill tweeted about the disunity within the Congress and its alleged affiliation with the AAP, claiming that the opposition's unity is solely based on their dislike for Prime Minister Modi and a thirst for power.
