Opposition Meet Watch LIVE: 15 Parties Agree to Contest 2024 Elections Together
Opposition Meeting in Patna: Catch all live updates here.
Opposition Meeting in Patna LIVE Updates
(Photo: PTI/Altered by The Quint)
Opposition Meeting in Patna Today Live Updates: Top leaders of at least 15 Opposition parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party (SP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and others attended the grand meeting in Patna led by Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Nitish Kumar thanked all leaders present as they addressed the media after the conclusion of the meeting.
"There was consensus on fighting elections together. The next meeting will happen in a few days. Mallikarjun Kharge will lead the meeting next month. In that meeting, things like who will contest where will be finalised," Kumar said.
Here are the statements given by key leaders at the press briefing:
Who all were present at the meeting?
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren being welcomed by JD-U leaders on his arrival for the opposition parties meeting, at Patna Airport, Friday, June 23, 2023.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being welcomed on his arrival, at Patna Airport, Friday, June 23, 2023.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being welcomed on his arrival, at Patna Airport, Friday, June 23, 2023.
(Photo: PTI)
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal with party leader Raghav Chadha arrives to attend the opposition parties meeting, in Patna, Friday, June 23, 2023.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee being greeted by AAP leader Raghav Chadha as she arrives to attend the opposition parties meeting, in Patna, Friday, June 23, 2023.
&K National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah arrives to attend opposition parties meeting, in Patna, Friday, June 23, 2023.
Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar arrives to attend the opposition parties meeting, in Patna, Friday, June 23, 2023.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav arrive to attend the opposition parties meeting, in Patna, Friday, June 23, 2023.
Key developments that took place ahead of the meeting:
Ahead of the meet, Nitish Kumar on Thursday met AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, and Raghav Chadha in the backdrop of the party's agenda on getting the Opposition's support to quash the Delhi ordinance by the Centre.
Kharge on Friday said that the Congress will decided on the issue of supporting AAP on the matter of Delhi ordinance ahead of the next Parliament session.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that issues plaguing the country, including Manipur violence, will be discussed in the meeting.
"If democracy has to survive after 2024, all political leaders of Opposition parties will have to show a big heart for national interest," the Shiv Sena (UBT) said.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary skipped the meet citing a prior commitment.
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'Ending BJP Rule Common Agenda': Mallikarjun Kharge
Speaking to the media ahead of the grand Opposition meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that all parties want to fight the BJP unitedly.
"All of us want to fight against the BJP unitedly, ending their rule is our agenda," he said.
Security Tightened at Nitish Kumar's Residence
Security arrangements have been heightened and barricading on roads has been increased on the roads leading to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's residence ahead of the opposition meeting in Patna.
'Opposition Needs to Show Big Heart': Shiv Sena (UBT)
In the morning editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party said that the Opposition will have to show a 'big heart' in national interest.
"If democracy has to survive after 2024, all political leaders of Opposition parties will have to show a big heart for national interest. If all parties unite, it will instill confidence among voters," the party said.
Rahul Gandhi, Kharge to Meet Bihar Party Workers
Ahead of the meeting, Congress workers erected banners saying 'Mohabbat ki Dukan' in Patna.
"Rahul Gandhi will meet party workers, they want to meet him after Bharat Jodo Yatra. Makllikarjun Kharge is visiting Bihar for the first time after Karnataka victory, everybody is excited," Congress leader Pawan Khera told told the media.
'Congress Will Decide on Ordinance Before Parliament Session': Kharge
Speaking on the media on the issue of the Centre's ordinance in Delhi and supporting the AAP on the matter, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said: "We will take a decision on it ahead of the upcoming Parliament session."
'Rahul Took First Step for Oppn Unity': Kharge
Addressing party workers in Patna, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that it was Rahul Gandhi who took the first step for Opposition unity.
"Rahul Gandhi took the first step so that all Opposition parties come together and fight unitedly in 2024. Rahul Gandhi and I thought that we should call all party leaders to talk with that goal in mind. We are having a meeting in Patna today," Kharge said while addressing party workers in Patna.
'Ideological War with BJP': Rahul Gandhi Ahead of Oppn Meet
Ahead of the Opposition meet, Rahul Gandhi addressed party workers to say that the Congress is here to win the ideological war with the BJP-RSS.
"There is an ideological war going on in India. On one hand, there is the Congress that aims at Bharat Jodo and on the other is the BJP-RSS with 'Bharat Todo' ideology. Hence, we have came to Bihar today. The Congress party's DNA is in Bihar," Rahul Gandhi said.
"All Opposition parties of the country are here today. Together, we will defeat the BJP. You must have seen the campaigns and speeches of BJP leaders in Karnataka. You all saw the results," Gandhi added.
"You will not see the BJP in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. The Congress party will win," he said.
'Who is the Groom of this Baraat?': BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad took a jibe at the Opposition meeting in Patna to say that all attendees are contenders for the PM post and the only agenda is to oppose PM Modi.
"I have heard that Nitish Kumar has called for a 'baraat' (procession) to discuss the 2024 elections. But who is the groom? Don't baraats have a groom? All of them are contenders for the PM post. Some have revealed their ambitions, some haven't. People like Nistish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal have their own agendas. Then there's Sharad Pawar and Mamata Banerjee. Everybody knows Rahul Gandhi is eyeing for the post," he told news agency ANI.
"There are only two agendas — oppose PM Modi and safeguard their posts," he added.
'Many Contenders for PM Post': Nityanand Rai
Taking a jibe at the Opposition meeting in Patna, Union Minister Nityanand Rai told ANI: "There are many contenders claiming the PM post. It will not make any difference whether the Opposition fights together or not. In 2024, people will make Modi the Prime Minister again."
'Thank Congress for...': Smriti Irani Ahead of Oppn Meet
Union Minister Smriti Irani took a jibe at the Congress ahead of the Opposition meeting.
"It is laughable that all those parties who witnessed the murder of democracy during the Emergency are coming together under the Congress' leadership today. It is laughable that all those parties who have come together have told the nation that their individual strengths are not enough to defeat Modi ji. I especially thank Congress for publicly announcing that they cannot alone defeat PM Modi and that they need the support of others to do so," she said.
'BSP Should Have Been Invited': Om Prakash Rajbhar
SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, while speaking to news agency PTI, said that Mayawati's BSP should have been invited to the meting.
"We welcome this initiative of opposition unity. But it is imperative to include Bahujan Samaj Party in the meeting, given their support base across the country," he said.
Opposition Meeting Begins in Patna
Meeting of Opposition parties began in Patna in the presence of top party leaders.
Analysis: Uniform Civil Code Is the Polarising Cloud Hanging Over the Opposition Meet
As the key Opposition meet is underway in Patna, a large cloud of uncertainty is hanging over the political parties – it goes by the name of Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Last week, the Law Commission put out a statement inviting opinions from political and social organisations on the UCC, and it could potentially wreak havoc on all plans of a united Opposition.
While the Congress and some other parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have been decidedly against the UCC, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) has always been a vocal proponent of the demand to be met. Not just the Shiv Sena, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) too has been in favour of implementing the code. Moreover, even Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) leader Nitish Kumar, who has called for the Opposition meet, has had an ambiguous stance on UCC in the past.
Meeting Underway in Patna
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
BJP Chief JP Nadda Attacks Oppn Meet
Slamming the Opposition meeting in Patna, BJP chief JP Nadda said: "I am very surprised today. The Opposition parties have neckerchiefs in Bihar today but they forgot that Lalu Prasad Yadav was jailed for 22 months by Rahul Gandhi's grandmother. Nitish Kumar was behind bars for 20 months. Today in Patna, when I see the pictures of Rahul Gandhi being welcomed, I wonder what's become the state of politics."
JP Nadda Attacks Uddhav Over Oppn Meet
Taking a jibe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, BJP chief JP Nadda said: Uddhav Thackeray is in Patna today. His father 'Hindu Samrat' Bala Saheb Thackeray would say that he won't allow the Shiv Sena to become like the Congress and that he would close shop if he had to join hands with the Congress. Today, Balasaheb Thackeray must be thinking that his own son has closed the shop of Shiv Sena."
'Oppn Won't Benefit By Allying with Congress': Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao
Speaking to news agency ANI on the Opposition meet in Patna, Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao said: "Today, the unity of political parties is not that important, rather it is important to unite people on the issues prevailing in the country. The Congress and the BJP both are responsible for the problems our country is facing today. If political parties unite taking BJP or Congress along with them, it will not benefit the country."
'Nobody Likes Each Other': BJP's Narottam Mishra
Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra took a jibe at Opposition parties saying nobody likes each other and expect the people to like them.
"There is a thagbandhan being formed. If you look at it from another perspective, the communist parties don't like Mamata Banerjee, Mamata does not like Congress, Congress does not like Arvind Kejriwal, kejriwal does not like Samajwadi Party (SP); SP does not like Uddhav Thackeray; Uddhav does not like Mehbooba Mufti. They don't like each other and expect the people to like them," he said.
'Oppn Meet to Save Dynasty Politics': Maharashtra BJP Chief
Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawanlule said that the meeting of the Opposition is to save dynasty politics.
"All these leaders are going to Patna only to oppose PM Modi. They know if he retains power in 2024, then their dynasty politics will come to an end."
'PM Modi Will Return to Power in 2024': Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that no matter how many Opposition parties join hands, PM Modi will return to power in 2024.
"There is a photo session going on in Patna. All Opposition parties have come together to send a message that they will unitedly challenge the BJP, the NDA and PM Narendra Modi. I want to tell all Opposition parties that your unity is not possible. Even if it happens, no matter how many of you come together, PM Modi will return to power with more than 300 seats in 2024," he said.
Opposition Leaders Address Media After Meeting
Addressing the media after the meeting, Nitish Kumar thanked all leaders present as they addressed the media after the conclusion of the meeting.
"There was consensus on fighting elections together. The next meeting will happen in a few days. Mallikarjun Kharge will lead the meeting next month. In that meeting, things like who will contest where will be finalised," Kumar said.
"The next meeting will be in Shimla between 10-12 July," Kharge said.
"Startegies will be drawn to decide what should happen in states like Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, etc. We have decided to topple the BJP from power and we will fight unitedly for it," Kharge added.
'Will Work with Flexibility Despite Differences': Rahul
Addressing the media after meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said: "The institutions and voices of India are being attacked by BJP-RSS. I said in the meeting that this is a battle of ideologies and we are together against it. There are differences between us but we have decided to work together with flexibility and safeguard our shared ideologies. The next meeting will be in a few days and the talks will get deeper. Opposition unity is a process and we will take deep concerns into consideration."
'Won't Tolerate BJP's Dictatorship': Mamata Banerjee
Addressing the media, Mamata Banerjee said: "I had suggested a meet to Nitish ji in Patna because the movements that begin in Patna turn into revolutions. You know many such revolutions that have begun in Patna. The meeting went well. There were three key resolves - we are united, we will fight unitedly, and third, don't call us Opposition. We are citizens, patriotic, country lovers. When Manipur burns, our hearts burn too. The dictatorship and atrocities of BJP cannot be tolerated anymore. They have made alternative government in Raj Bhavans. Anybody going against has to face ED and CBI. They are controlling the media. They send lawyers to court and get cases filed against us under central agencies. But they don't talk of unemployment, destroyed economy, atrocities against women, Dalits."
"We are ready to shed our blood but we will safeguard this country's ethos," she said.
'Beginning of a Change': Sharad Pawar
Addressing the media, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said: "There is conspiracy to polarise the society. The BJP and its allies are running a programme. If we want to fight it, we will have to be united. We have decided to overlook differences and go ahead together. We are confident that this beginning in Patna today is a beginning of change across India," he said.
Pawar further mentioned that Jayprakash Narayan's movement too started in Patna.
"We are confident that the people of the country will stand by the new ways we are trying to find," Pawar said.
'Won't Let Gandhi's India Turn Into Godse's': Mehbooba Mufti
Addressing the media, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said: "The laboratory for the attack on democracy and the Constitution is in Jammu and Kashmir. It began in J&K and the whole country is facing it. Wehad joined hands with the India of Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. It was a country of Ganga Jamna Tehzeeb," she said.
"We won't let Gandhi's India become Godse's India," she said.
'Will Fight Against Dictatorship': Uddhav Thackeray
Addressing the media, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said: "We are from different political parties with different ideologies. There are differences of opinions but the country is one. We have come together to save this country, its unity, and its diversity. Whoever attacks the diversity, we will fight against them. We will unite against any kind of dictatorship."
'PM's Idea of Democracy Not There in J&K': Omar Abdullah
Addressing the media, JKNC chief Omar Abdulah said: "I know for you the news might not be that how many paries are present but instead who is absent. It does not matter who is not here. Parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari are here. Our goal is not to grab power. This is a battle of ideologies, of thought processes, safeguarding the identity of India. We have come together to save the country from getting destroyed."
"Mehbooba Mufti and I belong to that part of the country where democracy is being murdered every day. It felt good to see the PM talk about democracy yesterday. But why do those values not reach J&K? There's been President's rule there for five years" he added.
'BJP Wants to Change Country's Demography': Sitaram Yechury
"They want to change the demography of the country and bring about a fascist Hindutva rule. They want to tweak history and attack the ethos of the Constitution. They are attacking communal harmony, democracy, financial independency and federalism. We have to save these ethos for which we have united. In coming days, political events will be in unity," CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said.
'We Will Fight Unitedly': Mamata Banerjee
"We are united and we will fight unitedly. Don't call us opposition. We are also citizens of this nation. We are also patriotic. We have decided that we will fight against the dictatorship of BJP government. If they (BJP) come back in power again (in 2024), then India won't have elections from next time," said West Bengal CM and TMC Mamata Banerjee during the press address after opposition meeting in Patna.
'Unholy Alliance': Smriti Irani
In view of the opposition meeting, Union Minister Smriti Irani said, "AAP blackmailing (Congress) at the very beginning of 'gathbandhan' is proof of what will come out of this unholy alliance."
She further added that, "No one can stop Narendra Modi from becoming the Prime Minister in 2024. This alliance of selfishness is targeting India. Whenever these political parties came together, they brought along corruption and familism."
'Nothing Common in Oppn Parties': BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain also hit out at opposition parties saying, "They don't have a common ideology, they are just a bunch of unsatisfied people who gathered here today against PM Modi."
'No Decision on PM Candidate': Stalin
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said, "A consultative meeting of various opposition parties was held in Bihar today to save India's democracy. All opposition parties have a single goal to defeat BJP."
"No decision was taken on PM candidate in the meeting," Stalin said in Chennai.
AAP Condemns Congress
The AAP skipped the press conference addressed after the opposition meeting.
Later, in a statement released on Twitter, AAP condemned the Congress for not supporting it against the Delhi Oridinance.
The statement said that out of all the parties that attended the meet, “12 have representation in the Rajya Sabha. Except for the Indian National Congress all others have clearly expressed their stand against the ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha”.
“The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, is yet to make public its position on the Black Ordinance”, the statement rued, adding that Delhi and Punjab units were of the view “the party should support the Modi government on the issue”.