The mega meeting of key Opposition forces in Patna is slated to be held today. The meeting will be hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with an aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is likely to raise the issue of the Centre's ordinance during the meeting. AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been urging the Congress to voice its support for him against the ordinance. Ahead of the meeting, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Riju Dutta said, “Desh Ko Bachana Hai, BJP Ko Bhagana Hai (have to eliminate BJP and save the country)".


Here Are Top Updates:



  • Aam Aadmi Party has said that if the Congress does not declare its support to Kejriwal against the ordinance, then it may walk out of the meeting. 

  • Ahead of the Opposition meeting, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the grand old party will take decision on supporting AAP on the Centre's ordinance in the national capital before the Parliament session. "We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP govt... We will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centre's ordinance) before the Parliament session," Kharge said, as he left for the Opposition Meeting in Patna, as quoted by ANI.

  • A day ahead of the meeting, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee told reporters outside Tejashwi Yadav's residence, "I cannot say anything now. We have come here as we will fight together, one to one (against the BJP)," as quoted by the news agency PTI. "We will fight together like a collective family," she asserted.

  • The Samajwadi Party will be the only party from Uttar Pradesh attending the Opposition leaders' meeting in Patna on Friday, with BSP supremo Mayawati not being invited. Mayawati termed the meeting organised by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as more about shaking hands than joining hearts. Targeting the parties slated to participate in the meeting, Mayawati said it does not seem from their attitude that they are serious about their objective in Uttar Pradesh.

  • The Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary will skip the meet due to a family programme. However, Chaudhary hoped the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of Opposition unity".