In an effort to unite Opposition parties against the juggernaut of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress has proposed a meeting of like-minded party leaders to discuss the prevailing political situation and firm strategy to contest next year’s general elections.
The decision to call them under one umbrella, however started with some hiccups between the Congress and its oldest ally NCP, as they are not on the same page over the Adani group controversy.
In an interview to a news channel, NCP chief Sharad Pawar came out in support of the Adani group and criticised the narrative around the Hindenburg Research’s report on the conglomerate.
The Congress, however, said the NCP may have its own view but 19 like-minded Opposition parties are convinced that the charges against the conglomerate are real and serious. The Congress also said all 20 Opposition parties, including the NCP, are united and will be together in saving the Constitution and democracy from the “BJP’s assaults”.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday reached out to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin over the phone and invited him to join the proposed meeting.
The DMK, which is a key ally of the Congress in Tamil Nadu and also at the national level, has extended its support to the Congress’s plan for an Opposition meeting.
Earlier this week Stalin had conducted a meeting of the Opposition parties both physical and virtual mode through a session on social justice that came against the backdrop of complete logjam in the Budget session of Parliament.