“We stand together to contest BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha elections”, echoes non-BJP Opposition parties in Patna
The Hindu
Framing the next general election as a fight between “democracy and dictatorship”, 15 Opposition parties came together, projecting a united front in Patna on June 23. At the end of the four-hour long meeting, no joint statement was issued, nor a seat-sharing formula declared. It concluded on the promise of fighting the BJP together and leaving behind the burden of past prejudices.
Framing the next general election as a fight between “democracy and dictatorship”, 15 Opposition parties came together, projecting a united front in Patna on June 23. At the end of the four-hour long meeting, no joint statement was issued, nor a seat-sharing formula declared. It concluded on the promise of fighting the BJP together and leaving behind the burden of past prejudices.
The meeting was the first of the many that the Opposition has planned. The next meeting will be hosted by the Congress in Shimla around mid-July.
Also read: Opposition meet in Patna concludes
Barring a few tense moments, with bitter exchanges between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the atmosphere was convivial. Many Opposition leaders urged the Congress to be “generous.” It too played its part by listening more and speaking less.
The meeting began with an opening address from Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and his colleague from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lalu Prasad. Mr. Kumar, according to sources, said that as “we edge closer to May 2024 many more political parties will join this block”.
Mr. Prasad, who appeared for the first time in a political meeting after his recent kidney transplant, urged the Congress to be “large-hearted” and said that the larger force in each State should be given primacy - a view that was echoed by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav later during the meeting.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.