Sharad Pawar: Manipur Issue on Opposition's Agenda at Patna Meet
NEW DELHI: Opposition leaders from various political parties have gathered in Patna, Bihar for a crucial meeting called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The meeting aims to foster unity among opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite facing challenges related to turf wars in different states. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar, accompanied by his daughter Supriya Sule, expressed his intention to discuss the issue of Manipur during the meeting.
Pawar emphasized that the meeting was convened to address significant national issues and determine the future course of action. The leaders are expected to deliberate on key concerns and strategize for the upcoming elections. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut were also seen departing for Patna to attend the meeting, indicating the broad participation of opposition leaders.
Several prominent opposition figures, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti, arrived in Patna on Thursday in preparation for the gathering. The leaders aim to forge alliances and present a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming elections.
Upon her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee paid a visit to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav, as well as his son and current Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Banerjee expressed her pleasure at meeting Lalu Prasad Yadav, highlighting his seniority and acknowledging his past incarceration and hospitalization. She refrained from divulging the details of their discussions but emphasized the collective fight and familial bond among the opposition leaders.
In addition to meeting with Lalu Yadav, Mamata Banerjee also had a meeting with Nitish Kumar at the Patna Circuit House. Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann also engaged in discussions with Nitish Kumar, further showcasing the collaborative efforts of the opposition leaders. However, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary expressed his inability to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment related to a family event.
The gathering of opposition leaders in Patna signifies a significant step towards consolidating a united opposition front against the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. With discussions on crucial national issues and the determination of a collective plan of action, the meeting holds the potential to shape the political landscape of India in the coming years.
ALSO WATCH: