| 22 June 2023
Patna is gearing up for a high-stakes political event as opposition leaders from nearly 20 parties are set to gather for a mega Opposition meet on Friday. The objective of this gathering is to formulate a joint strategy to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The meeting was initiated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also the leader of the Janata Dal (United) party. Kumar has been actively working towards forging opposition unity and hopes that this mega-meet will boost the morale of the opposition, which has been plagued by internal conflicts and power struggles.
The participation of leaders from various prominent parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and others, is expected to make this gathering a significant political event. Notable attendees include Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, DMK leader MK Stalin, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, JMM leader Hemant Soren, and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
The presence of these influential leaders, especially Mamata Banerjee, who is scheduled to meet former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav, highlights the importance of this gathering. The leaders will convene at the Chief Minister's residence in Patna, where they will discuss their collective strategy and ways to challenge the BJP's dominance.
The BJP, on the other hand, has been quick to mock the opposition unity, claiming that the leaders are devoid of a clear vision and are primarily concerned about their own positions. The saffron party has put up posters outside its Patna office, criticizing the opposition leaders' lack of direction and portraying them as aspirants for the Prime Minister's post. Meanwhile, in Lucknow, a poster calling for opposition unity and the removal of BJP from 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh has emerged, signaling the opposition's determination to challenge the ruling party.
However, just hours before the mega opposition meet, Nitish Kumar's JD(U) suffered a setback when the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) decided to part ways with the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and re-join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, signaling a shift in political alliances.
Despite this setback, the mega opposition meet is expected to proceed as planned, with the opposition leaders arriving in Patna on Thursday. The State Guest House has been prepared to accommodate the leaders, and arrangements have been made for them to savor Bihari delicacies and dishes representing their respective states.
The outcome of this mega opposition meet will have significant implications for the political landscape in India. If the leaders can maintain unity and work together effectively, the BJP could face a formidable challenge in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The opposition hopes to capitalize on the gathering's momentum to strengthen their position and present a compelling alternative to the ruling party. As the countdown begins for this crucial event, political observers eagerly await the joint strategy that will emerge from the convergence of these opposition leaders in Patna.
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