In a significant development ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, 26 like-minded parties joined forces in a mega joint meeting to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
However, a senior opposition leader was notably absent on the first day of the meeting. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) previously experienced a split when Ajit Pawar, the leader’s nephew, joined the NDA government in Maharashtra with eight other MLAs. This led to actions taken by Sharad Pawar, the leader of NCP, against those MLAs. Additionally, the BJP is set to convene a meeting with 38 parties from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi.
During the first day of the meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hosted a dinner for opposition leaders, generating optimism among attendees. Congress leader BK Hariprasad expressed confidence that this gathering would signal the end of the BJP’s dominance in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Looking ahead, opposition parties are working towards appointing a convenor and establishing groups to address various issues and develop a common minimum program. The Congress party is eager to secure the chairperson position, given their status as the largest party in the alliance. However, they are open to a collective decision made by the opposition parties. Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who is not vying for the Prime Minister’s post, has no objections and is actively participating in the two-day opposition meeting.
Importantly, the opposition parties aim to shift the narrative away from a leader-centric contest and focus on highlighting critical issues, ultimately presenting a battle between Prime Minister Modi and the will of the people.