| 23 June 2023
As many as 27 prominent opposition leaders from across India gathered in Patna today for a mega unity meeting aimed at forging a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the upcoming 2024 general elections. The meeting, which commenced at 11:30 am, saw leaders from various political parties emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation to safeguard democratic values in the country.
The event kicked off with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, representing the Janata Dal (United) party, delivering a powerful message of unity. He stressed the importance of opposition parties coming together, stating, "It is very important for us to come together. If democracy has to be saved, then it is necessary to come together." Kumar's call for unity resonated with the attending leaders, setting the tone for the discussions that followed.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi echoed Kumar's sentiments, emphasizing the need for opposition leaders to unite with sincerity and transparency. He urged them to address their differences face-to-face, urging a clean and clear approach to building a strong opposition front.
However, not all voices were in favor of opposition unity. Telangana Minister KTR Rao, whose party, the BRS, did not attend the meeting, expressed skepticism about the significance of political parties uniting. He argued that the focus should be on uniting the people on the issues affecting the country, rather than forming alliances with existing political entities. Rao placed blame on both the Congress and the BJP for the problems India currently faces and cautioned against the inclusion of these parties in any unity efforts.
Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, a member of the BJP, dismissed the opposition unity as a mere photo opportunity, claiming there is no vacancy for the post of prime minister in the upcoming elections. Paras accused leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar of hypocrisy, highlighting their past opposition to the Congress during the Emergency but now joining hands with them.
Amidst the political maneuvering and differing perspectives, discussions revolved around crucial topics such as defeating the BJP in the 2024 polls, implementing a common minimum program, and selecting a coordinator for the opposition alliance. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought support from other parties on the Delhi ordinance, while leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar worked towards bridging the gap between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), citing the example of the successful Maha Vikas Agadhi alliance in Maharashtra.
The mega opposition meeting also witnessed a clash of opinions. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), voiced her objection to the Congress's approach in Bengal and urged all leaders to rise above internal disputes. She warned against infighting, asserting that the BJP would only benefit from such divisions.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the opposition meeting, dismissing it as a mere photo session. He expressed skepticism about the unity of opposition leaders and predicted their defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
With no immediate consensus reached in the Patna meeting, it was announced that another two-day opposition gathering would take place in Shimla in August. The leaders also expressed their intention to select a convenor for the opposition alliance during this meeting.
As the Patna meeting drew to a close, various leaders shared their perspectives on the way forward. Rahul Gandhi highlighted the need to safeguard India's foundation, pledging to work together with flexibility to protect common ideological values. Mamata Banerjee declared that the unity initiated in Patna would soon turn into a mass movement, emphasizing the collective responsibility of all citizens in preserving democracy. Uddh
av Thackeray echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of opposing any attack on democratic values.
The mega unity in Patna witnessed both unity and discord among opposition leaders, reflecting the diverse political landscape of India. As the country gears up for the 2024 general elections, the coming together of these leaders, with all its challenges and contradictions, signals a significant shift in the political landscape and sets the stage for a potentially fierce contest between the opposition and the ruling BJP.
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