Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin asserted that the opposition parties that met in Patna had not decided the Prime Ministerial candidate yet. He stated that all leaders have a single goal of defeating the BJP and that unity has taken place in Patna. At the meeting of 17 opposition parties, Stalin recalled the success of unity of secular parties in Tamil Nadu and insisted on such unity at the national level to oust the BJP. He suggested drafting a common minimum program and allowing an influential party to lead the coalition in the state. If it is not possible to form a coalition in the state, seat-sharing arrangements can be made. Even if that is not possible, a general candidate can be declared. Stalin termed the formation of a coalition post-elections an ‘inappropriate stand’ and instead called upon the parties to set up a joint action committee to resolve the issues. The DMK chief mentioned that Nitish Kumar convened the meeting to defeat the BJP government at the Centre. The parties were clear that if they wanted to save democracy, secularism, pluralism, oppressed sections, and the poor, the BJP should not be allowed to return to office. Stalin emphasized that parties must remain firm on this till the end. The chief minister could not be present at the press briefing by the leaders in Patna as he had to catch a flight back.