Lalu, Nitish Meet Sonia; Say Focus on Uniting Opposition Parties to Defeat BJP in 2024

On Sunday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav met Congress president Sonia Gandhi. They then acknowledged that there was a wide agreement over taking on the BJP unitedly in 2024. However, a valid plan would be proposed only after a new Congress chief is elected.

The meeting was at Gandhi’s 10 Janpath residence. It is seen as very crucial in forging an Opposition unity with efforts to mediate differences between the Congress and some regional parties. Further, this was Kumar’s first meeting with Gandhi since he broke ties with the BJP and joined hands with the RJD and the Congress to form the government in Bihar in August.

Meanwhile, after five years, the three leaders met together. This was also Lalu Prasad’s first active political engagement in a long time. He has been suffering for some time now.

Kumar said they held talks with the Congress president as it was their view that Opposition parties should come together and work for the progress of the country in the future. “We held talks on these matters… But there are presidential elections in the Congress and only after that she (Sonia Gandhi) can say something,” he said. He further said that there was broad agreement on an Opposition unity to take on the BJP but a valid plan of action could be proposed only after Congress president polls.

“We will hold further talks after the Congress organizational elections,” he said. Echoing similar views, Lalu Prasad said, “We have to remove the BJP and save the country. For that, we all have to come together in the same manner as we have done in Bihar and dislodged the BJP from there, the response to that is being seen in the whole country.” “We all are united. We told Sonia Ji that Congress is the biggest party and all should be called and talks held and bid adieu to them (BJP) in 2024,” he said.

Further, Lalu Prasad also said that Sonia Gandhi has told them that AICC president elections are going to take place and then they will meet again after the polls when all can sit together along with the new Congress president. Notably, the selection process for the election to the Congress president’s post is underway. The polling, however, is scheduled for October 17. The results of the polls will be out on October 19.

Previously Kumar called for joining all opposition parties, comprising the Congress and the Left, to take on the BJP and said this “main front of opposition” will ensure that the saffron party loses badly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Kumar also said that if all non-BJP parties unite, then they can get rid of those who are helping to demolish the nation.