Sonia Gandhi Invites 24 Parties For United Opposition's Meet On July 17, AAP's Participation Conditional

The Aam Aadmi Party has also been invited to the Bengaluru meeting. However, AAP has requested the Congress to clarify its stance on the Delhi services ordinance before it confirmed its participation.

Sonia Gandhi is expected to attend the Opposition's meet on July 17.

The Congress is organising the second meeting of the united Opposition in Bengaluru on July 17 to challenge the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This meeting, scheduled for June 17 and 18, will see the participation of leaders from at least 24 non-BJP parties, an increase from the previous meeting that involved 15 parties.

Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party Sonia Gandhi is expected to attend a dinner meeting on July 17, where leaders from the Opposition parties will also be present. The following day, a more structured formal meeting will take place, during which the Opposition front will strategize its plans to confront the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

According to sources, several parties, including the MDMK, KDMK, VCK, RSP, Forward Bloc, IUML, Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani), are among those joining the second opposition meeting. A senior Opposition leader confirmed receiving an invitation from the Congress president to attend the dinner meeting, followed by a formal meeting the next day. Currently, the 24 opposition parties collectively hold around 150 Lok Sabha seats, reported news agency PTI.

The Opposition parties will discuss a comprehensive plan for their unity efforts, aiming to field a common candidate against the BJP across the country. The first meeting of Opposition parties took place in Patna, Bihar, on June 23. Sixteen parties were invited by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, of which 15 attended. RLD's Jayant Chaudhary was unable to attend due to a family function.

The Aam Aadmi Party has also been invited to the Bengaluru meeting. However, AAP has requested the Congress to clarify its stance on the Delhi services ordinance before it confirmed its participation, the PTI report stated. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar confirmed the meeting's dates and stated that Sonia Gandhi has been requested to participate. He also mentioned that all opposition leaders would be present.

Congress General Secretary (Organization) K C Venugopal, while announcing the meeting dates, reiterated the party's determination to defeat "fascist and undemocratic forces." The previous all-opposition meeting in Patna was deemed highly successful, and they intend to present a bold vision for the country's progress.