The Congress on Wednesday claimed a ‘historic step’ in attempts to unite the opposition and challenge PM Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in state polls this year and the 2024 general election. The declaration came after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi met Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and his deputy, the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, in Delhi.
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The meeting at Kharge’s residence comes amid talks of like-minded Opposition parties coming together on a common platform to defeat the BJP in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Kharge said this was a historic meeting and it was decided to unite all parties to fight upcoming polls together.
Rahul Gandhi told reporters, “This is a historic step to unite the opposition. We will develop the vision of the opposition parties and move forward… we will stand together for the country. ” It may be noted here that Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha last month has spurred opposition unity.
विचारधारा की इस लड़ाई में, विपक्ष की एकता की ओर आज एक ऐतिहासिक कदम लिया गया है।
साथ खड़े हैं, साथ लड़ेंगे – भारत के लिए! pic.twitter.com/xoStUuiqyL
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 12, 2023
Rahul Gandhi added, “As Khargeji said… as Nitishji said…. this is a very important step. You ask ‘how many opposition parties are needed (to defeat the BJP)’? This is a process… as many as want to join us, we will all proceed together. We are in an ideological battle for the country… there is an attack on institutions… on the nation itself… and this we (the opposition) will unite and fight.”
After the meeting at Delhi residence of Mallikarjun Kharge, Nitish Kumar said, “We will try to unite as many parties as we can and move forward together.”
In the meeting, JD(U) president Lalan Singh; the head of the Bihar Congress, Akhilesh Prasad Singh; and the RJD’s Manoj Jha were also present.
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