Opposition parties in India are meeting in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Sixteen opposition parties are participating in the meet. However, some regional parties like BSP, TRS, YSRCP and BJD chose to skip the opposition meet, citing various reasons such as prior engagements, local issues or ideological differences. Their absence raised doubts about the inclusiveness and representativeness of the opposition alliance.
THE VENUE
The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi’s majority government.
The meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is aimed at arriving a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP.
THE SIGNIFICANCE
The convergence shows the willingness and determination of the opposition parties to overcome their differences and work together for a common cause. It also sends a message of unity and solidarity to the people. No doubt, the meeting provided a platform for the opposition leaders to exchange views and ideas on various issues affecting the country and the people. It also helped them to coordinate their strategies and actions for the upcoming elections and beyond.
Above all, the gathering boosted the morale and confidence of the opposition parties and their supporters, who have been facing a tough challenge from the BJP in recent years. It also gave them an opportunity to showcase their achievements and strengths in their respective states and regions.
HISTORY OF BITTER RIVALRIES
Given the history of bitter rivalries and ideological differences among some of the parties involved, the credibility is of the meeting is at stake. Moreover, the opposition unity faces lack of a clear leader or a common agenda. It should be seen if the political parties could save their political relevance. One of the main criticism is that the opposition parties tend to be opportunistic.
Moreover, one cannot negate the contradictions and conflicts within the opposition camp. The rift between RLD and SP in Uttar Pradesh, tussle between Congress and TMC in West Bengal, and uncertainty over JD (U)’s role in Bihar is all known.
BJP REACTIONS
BJP reacted to the opposition meet in Patna 2023 in a dismissive and sarcastic manner. Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a sarcastic tone said that a photo session was underway in Patna. He said that though the opposition want to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA, Modi will form his government in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls with more than 300 seats.
The party in a sarcastic tone said the opposition meet was a “mahanautanki” (big drama), where all the participants were PM aspirants. The BJP also lashed out at the Opposition, pointing out that they did not have a common agenda or ideology. They were a bunch of leaders driven by lust of power, the BJP alleged.
Union Minister Smriti Irani said the Congress was seeking the support of others as it was “incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone” in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. She also mocked the JD (U) and other opposition parties for joining hands with the Congress, which had imposed Emergency in the country.
WHAT RAHUL GANDHI SAID?
Addressing the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of working to “divide India and spread hate and violence”. He asserted that a fight of ideologies was going on in India. The meeting was a “historic moment” and that it was “time for the opposition to unite and defeat the BJP”. He also said that the opposition parties needed to come up with a common minimum program that would address the issues of inflation, unemployment, and farmer distress.
WHAT NITISH KUMAR SAID?
Bihar Chief Minister NitishKumar said the opposition meet was a historic occasion and a step towards forming a strong and united alternative to the BJP. He also said that the opposition parties had a common agenda of saving democracy, secularism and federalism in the country. He thanked all the leaders for attending the meeting and hoped that they will continue to work together in future.
MAMATA BANERJEE AND HER WORDS
Trinamool Congress Leader Mamata Banerjee said that the meeting was a “positive step”. She said it was time for the opposition to come together and fight for the people. She expressed confidence that opposition parties will fight like a family and take on the BJP “one to one. The opposition parties needed to focus on the issues that mattered to the people, such as jobs, education, and healthcare.
ARVIND KEJRIWAL AND HIS WORDS
Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal termed the opposition meet as a sign of hope and change for the country. He also said that the opposition parties had to expose the BJP’s failures and lies on various issues such as economy, unemployment, farmers’ distress, health, education and security. He appealed to all the leaders to stand with each other and support each other’s causes.
WHAT SAMAJWADI PARTY SAID?
Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, said that the meeting was a “step in the right direction” and that it was “time for the opposition to unite and fight for the future of the country”. He also said that the opposition parties needed to come up with a common strategy to defeat the BJP in the upcoming general election.
SHARAD PAWAR AND HIS WORDS
Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, said that the meeting was a “good beginning” and that it was “time for the opposition to work together and build a strong alternative to the BJP”. He also said that the opposition parties needed to focus on the issues that mattered to the people and to come up with a common minimum program.
HISTORY OF OPPOSITION MEETS
- National Front (1989–1991): A coalition of Janata Dal and other regional parties led by V.P. Singh and N.T. Rama Rao that came to power after defeating Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress in 1989.
- United Front (1996–1998): A coalition of 13 parties led by Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral that formed two successive governments with outside support from Congress after the 1996 elections.
- Third Front (2009): A loose alliance of 10 parties led by Prakash Karat and Mayawati that contested the 2009 elections as an alternative to Congress and BJP but failed to win enough seats.
- Mahagathbandhan (2015): A grand alliance of JD (U), RJD and Congress that defeated the BJP-led NDA in the Bihar Assembly elections.
- SP-BSP alliance (2019): A pre-poll alliance of SP and BSP that contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh but failed to stop the BJP’s sweep.
