Opposition parties from across the country gathered in Patna on June 23, projecting a united front for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The meeting, which lasted four hours, aimed to frame the next general election as a battle between ‘democracy and dictatorship.’ While no joint statement or seat-sharing formula was announced, the leaders expressed their commitment to fight against the BJP and leave behind past prejudices.
The Congress will host the next meeting of opposition leaders in Shimla around mid-July. Despite some tense moments between the Congress and AAP, the atmosphere remained convivial. Opposition leaders urged the Congress to be generous, and the Congress played its part by listening attentively.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav opened the meeting with their addresses. Kumar stated that more political parties would join the opposition block as the 2024 elections approach. Prasad, who made his first appearance after a kidney transplant, called on the Congress to be large-hearted and emphasized the need to prioritize the larger force in each state.
Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) proposed issuing a joint statement, but other parties felt it was too early for such a move. Arvind Kejriwal advocated for a ‘nation first, party second’ approach, urging flexibility from individual parties.
The discussion then turned to the anticipated electoral arrangement. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin clarified that there would be no single formula for seat sharing nationwide, as it would vary from state to state based on the political equation. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, urged the opposition to work together with the goal of ‘no vote to BJP’ while ensuring the fight does not devolve into ‘BJP versus All.’
Rahul Gandhi, former president of the Congress, underlined three important points. He referred to Sharad Pawar’s example of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra as a model for overcoming past differences and ideological issues. Gandhi emphasized that the Congress would not be bound by past likes and dislikes, and unity among the opposition parties starts with a clean slate. He also highlighted the need for the opposition to build a common narrative to counter the BJP’s monopoly over finances, institutions, and modes of communication.
Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of the CPI(M), stressed the importance of focusing on economic distress. At the joint press conference after the meeting, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar criticized the BJP, accusing the ruling party of not working in the national interest. Mamata Banerjee declared that the opposition would work to stop the BJP, even if it meant bloodshed.
The opposition leaders resolved to contest the upcoming elections together against the BJP. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Shimla, where further discussions on region-specific political situations will be held. Opposition leaders from Jammu and Kashmir also voiced their concerns, stating that the very idea of India is under threat. Left leaders and other regional parties expressed their determination to fight together to reclaim the concept of the Indian Republic. The leaders expressed confidence in achieving their goal and considered the meeting in Patna as the first step toward a joint effort against the BJP.
