12-04-2023 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, along with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, as a “historic step” towards uniting opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The leaders discussed various issues and decided to join hands to fight the upcoming polls in a united manner. Nitish Kumar also expressed his support, and other leaders, including JD(U) President Lalan Singh, Bihar Congress Chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and RJD leader Manoj Jha, were also present.
Congress has been trying to form an alliance of like-minded parties, and Kharge has spoken to several opposition leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The meeting with Nitish and Tejashwi comes amid talks of bringing other opposition parties together on a common platform to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress is working towards uniting everyone, as Kharge alleged a “conspiracy to destroy democracy” and said that the Congress will forge an alliance of like-minded parties. The meeting also comes a month after the meeting between Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav, who hinted at a possible “third front” without the Congress party.
Rahul Gandhi stated that they would develop the vision of the opposition parties and move forward together to fight the ongoing ideological battle. They plan to take this vision to the people and stand united for the country. Reports suggest that JD(U), RJD, and Congress are in talks to bring other opposition parties together on a common platform in their fight against the BJP.