NCP leader Sharad Pawar joined the opposition unity meeting to discuss the name, structure, and agenda of the 26-party grouping to counter the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting aims to give the alliance a name and form a common agenda. The parties are expected to issue a joint declaration and finalize a committee for the functioning of the grouping. Sonia Gandhi’s name has been suggested for the chairperson of the new alliance. Discussions on seat-sharing and resolving differences among regional outfits are on the agenda. However, reconciling political interests among opposition parties, especially those who have been traditional rivals, remains a challenging task.