Opposition parties vows to stay united, fight Lok Sabha polls together

Patna: Leaders of 15 opposition parties, who met in Patna on Friday, have decided to put up a united fight against BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The meeting convened by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was attended by leaders from Congress, AITC, SP, RJD, JDU, AAP, DMK, NCP, Shiv Sena (Uddhav), NC, PDP, CPI, CPI-ML, CPI-M and JMM. RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary extended support to the decision in abstentia. As many as 32 leaders participated in the meeting at the CM's 1 Aney Marg residence.

This was first such meeting by the Opposition parties since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power. All those who attended the meeting, barring AAP, agreed to put up a joint fight.

The meeting focused on three points which were agreed upon by all parties. The parties agreed to fight unitedly despite differences as the idea was to put up a single opposition candidate against BJP in maximum seats.


"We had a good meeting. Several leaders expressed their views. Seventeen parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," Bihar CM Nitish Kumar told media persons after the meeting.

The second point of agreement was presenting a united face against any move of the Union government in any state. This was largely related to raids and cases filed against Opposition leaders by central agencies. The parties also agreed that the decision of seat sharing should be made in advance and done state wise.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that his party will organise the next meeting in Shimla on July 12. "At the meeting in Shimla, we will decide on the nitty-gritties of the Opposition alliance. Every state has different circumstances; one formula doesn't suit all. So, state-wise discussions will take place and most of the things will get finalised in the Shimla meeting," Kharge said.