Sonia Gandhi Likely To Be Named President Of Opposition Front, Nitish Kumar As Convenor

Top leaders from 26 Opposition parties have convened in Bengaluru to discuss the formation of a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in upcoming Lok Sabha election.

The formal talks are scheduled to take place today between 11 am and 4 pm.

Throughout the day, the leaders gathered in Bengaluru and later held a dinner meeting in the evening to finalize the agenda for the closed-door talks on Tuesday (18 july).

A report from NDTV has indicated the possibility of Sonia Gandhi, the former chairperson of UPA, being named the President of the Front, with Nitish Kumar as the Convenor.

In addition to Mrs. Gandhi, notable participants in the two-day meeting include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, chief ministers MK Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren, Mamata Banerjee, and RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Sharad Pawar, whose party recently experienced a split due to the rebellion of nephew Ajit Pawar, will join the meeting tomorrow.

The same report has also indicated that all parties involved have been requested to propose a name for the front, with the requirement that it includes the word "India".

The chosen tag line for the front will be "United we stand".

Additionally, suggestions have been sought for the Common Minimum Programme.

It has been emphasized that the topic of states should be discussed separately.

Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted, "Like-minded opposition parties shall closely work together to foster an agenda of social justice, inclusive development and national welfare. We want to free the people of India from the autocratic and anti-people politics of hate, division, economic inequality and loot... United We Stand, for this INDIA".

During a dinner meeting at the Taj West End Hotel, Mamata Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi were seated next to each other.

Prior to the meeting, they engaged in a one-on-one conversation that lasted approximately 20 minutes. This conversation caused a slight delay in the start of the meeting, according to sources.

Despite recent strained relations between the Congress and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, the two leaders have put their differences aside.

Both parties have agreed that their priority is to defeat the BJP in the upcoming elections in order to safeguard democracy and federalism.

The Congress is hosting the meet at a strategically chosen location. The recent victory of the Congress in the Karnataka assembly election has not only energized the opposition but has also put the party in a position of power.

Mallikarjun Kharge, leading the Congress, has maintained a low profile and emphasised the importance of hearing the ideas of other leaders.

The party's support for Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party in opposing the Central Ordinance in parliament demonstrates its willingness to work as part of a team.

When asked about the attendance of their former ally HD Kumaraswamy's Janata Dal Secular, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera stated, "All parties willing to fight the BJP are welcome".

He added, "From 16 in Patna to 26 in Bengaluru, this opposition will continue to grow. We will have more meetings to discuss issues, and leaders will be considered later".

The opposition meet is taking place simultaneously with a show of strength by the BJP in Delhi, where all NDA constituents will also gather tomorrow.

Khera commented that the BJP is feeling anxious, which is why they are organising this meeting.