NDA's 38 Vs Opposition's 26: Crucial Meetings Today Ahead Of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls
NDA, Opposition Meeting: This will be the first such NDA meeting during the second term of the Narendra Modi government. The Opposition parties will meet for the second time in less than a month.
As 26 Opposition parties kicked off their summit in Bengaluru to strategise for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP-led NDA will be eyeing a big show of strength with their meeting in Delhi on Tuesday. BJP president JP Nadda said 38 parties have confirmed their participation in the NDA meeting.
It will be the first such NDA meeting during the second term of the Narendra Modi government.
The run-up to these meetings saw leaders of both the alliances taking jabs at each other. While Congress said the saffron party was "baffled" by what the Opposition was doing and hence gathering "factions of parties", BJP called the Opposition meet "bhanumati ka kunba" (motley group) and an opportunistic alliance.
NDA Meeting To See 38 Parties In Attendance
Ahead of the meet, the BJP received a major shot in the arm with the joining of Chirag Paswan's LJP, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) into the NDA fold.
The new entrants who will be attending the NDA meeting are the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, NCP led by Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) led by Upendra Kushwaha and the Jana Sena led by Pawan Kalyan.
However, there is uncertainty on whether BJP's former allies such as the Akali Dal and the Telugu Desam Party would join the NDA even though they have invited for the meeting.
Speaking at a press conference, BJP national president JP Nadda said, "The NDA will resolve that the country will again elect its government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership."
On the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru, Nadda said, "It has been cobbled together with a selfish motive to protect these leaders from cases of corruption of more than Rs 20 lakh crore during the UPA government. This is just a good photo opportunity."
Opposition Parties To Finalise Agenda, Send 'United We Stand' Message
The Opposition meeting got underway in Bengaluru with a dinner meeting hosted by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who was seen sharing light moments with West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
The streets of Bengaluru have been dotted with huge banners with "United We Stand" slogan and carrying the pictures of top Opposition leaders.
Sharad Pawar, who gave the dinner a miss, will arrive on Tuesday along with his daughter Supriya Sule.
For the Opposition meet, apart the 15 parties that attended the Patna session, invitation has been extended to sevaral smaller regional parties.
According to news agency ANI, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani) are among the new political parties that will be joining the meeting on Tuesday.
Together, these parties have around 150 Lok Sabha members.
The parties are expected to decide on a common minimum programme and announce a joint agitational plan to take on the BJP.
Seat sharing will be another thorny issue in the meeting and a proposal of putting up common opposition candidates in maximum Lok Sabha seats will also be deliberated.
There is a proposal to set up a sub-committee for drafting a common minimum programme and communication points for the Opposition alliance, PTI reported.
The panel will be also asked to chart the roadmap for the joint programme of parties, including rallies, public meetings and agitations.
The opposition leaders also plan to suggest a name for the alliance and its convenor.
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