26 vs 38: 2024 Agenda against BJP to be Set in Two Days Meeting of Opposition

In an effort to defeat the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, 26 Opposition parties gathered in Bengaluru to showcase their strength and discuss crucial matters on 16th July, 2023. The Opposition party's meeting commenced with a dinner hosted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the first day.

The topics to be discussed included EVM machines, sharing of Lok Sabha seats, creating a Common Minimum Program, and selecting a name for their united front. The opposition parties have outlined their agenda, which includes discussions on state-to-state seat sharing and finalizing the alliance's name. They will also address concerns regarding EVMs and propose reforms to the Election Commission. Additionally, the opposition leaders have established a common secretariat for the proposed alliance.

Additionally, several committees will be established to convene meetings and discuss various matters concerning the alliance. The formation of different groups and sub-groups is also anticipated. 

In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared that a meeting of the ruling coalition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consisting of 38 parties will take place in Delhi on July 18.

Prior to the meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the opposition parties, sharing similar views, will collaborate to advance an agenda focused on social justice, inclusive development, and national welfare. Their goal is to free India from autocratic and divisive politics, economic inequality, and corruption. They envision an India governed by Constitutional principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, providing hope and support to the most vulnerable. He stressed their unity in pursuing this vision for India.

Following the dinner, Congress leader BK Hariprasad expressed that the meeting began on a positive note and predicted the end of BJP's dominance in 2024. He also stated that NAD would be National Disaster Alliance.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said ahead of the opposition meeting that 2/3rd of the population is going to defeat BJP. He expressed hope that the people of the country would give BJP a massive defeat. 

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal strongly criticized the BJP-led government for attacking fundamental principles of democracy and silencing the Opposition's voice. He emphasized the united goal of opposition parties to protect democracy, Constitutional rights, and institutional independence in the country. The misuse of agencies to suppress the Opposition, exemplified by Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Parliament and incidents in Maharashtra, further supports his concerns.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated that the second joint opposition meeting in Bengaluru will address several topics, including EVM machines, Lok Sabha seat sharing, and choosing a name for the front. He highlighted the main objective of the meeting is to unite and discuss these important matters.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the BJP, suggesting that the NDA meeting scheduled for Tuesday was a response to the success of the opposition conclave in Patna. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP were taken aback by the opposition's gathering, prompting them to "suddenly think of NDA." Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of attempting to revive and invigorate the NDA after the impact of the Patna meeting.

Chief Minister MK Stalin asserted that the opposition parties have joined forces with the aim to "defeat" the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He referred to the recent Enforcement Directorate raids at the residence of State Minister K Ponmudi as "diversionary tactics" ahead of the second unity Opposition meeting. CM Stalin addressed reporters at the Chennai airport, affirming the unity among all opposition parties to take on the BJP-led Central government. He mentioned that the decision to hold the second meeting in Karnataka was taken after the initial meeting in Bihar last month, and this unity among opposition parties would continue during the Bengaluru meeting.

AAP MP Raghav Chaddha asserted that the unity among like-minded opposition parties is making the BJP uneasy, and he confidently claimed that the saffron party will not return to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He stated, "The alliance of like-minded opposition parties is causing sleepless nights for the ruling BJP. The coming together of non-BJP leaders has left them fearful." Raghav Chaddha also mentioned that the agenda for the meeting in Bengaluru will be discussed during the event.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah blamed the BJP for economic damage during Narendra Modi's tenure as PM. Siddaramaiah hoped for a significant defeat of the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda criticized the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the opposition party alliance, calling it "Bhanumati ka Kunbha." According to the BJP chief, the UPA lacks both leadership and decision-making authority. He criticized the alliance, stating that it is driven by selfish interests and limited to photo opportunities. He further labeled the UPA's governance as corrupt and ineffective over the course of ten years.

Leaders including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, party MP TR Baalu, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Raghav Chadha, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, among others, gathered in Bengaluru to attend the meeting.

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