Opposition meeting of 24 parties in Bengaluru on July 17, Sonia Gandhi present: Report

Bengaluru: Top leaders of at least 24 political parties will attend the second opposition unity meeting being called by the Congress in Bengaluru, Karnataka on July 17-18. According to sources, eight new parties have extended their support to the efforts of the opposition parties to present a united front against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “After the big opposition meeting in Bihar’s Patna last month, top leaders of 24 political parties will attend the second meeting to be held in Karnataka’s Bengaluru,” sources said.

“Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (JOSEPH), And Kerala Congress (Mani) is among the new political parties that will attend the meeting,” he said.

“Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi will also attend the meeting of opposition parties,” he said.
The KDMK and the MDMK were earlier allies of the BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has also invited top opposition leaders to attend the next unity meeting.

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In a letter addressed to top opposition party leaders, the Congress president reminded them about their participation in the opposition meeting held in Patna on June 23 called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. “The meeting was a great success as we were able to discuss various important issues threatening our democratic polity and unanimously agreed to fight the next general election unitedly,” Kharge said in his invitation letter.

The Congress President further reminded the leaders that we have agreed to meet again in July. The letter further said, “I believe it is important to continue these discussions and build on the momentum we have built. We need to work together to find solutions to the challenges that we face.” the country is doing.

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“Furthermore, I request you to kindly facilitate me to attend the post dinner meeting on 17th July at 6.00 PM in Bengaluru. The meeting will continue on 18th July 2023 from 11.00 AM onwards. Look forward to meeting you in Bengaluru , Kharge further said in his letter.

Earlier, RJD chief Lalu Prasad had also said on Thursday that he would go to Bengaluru for a meeting of opposition parties. The first meeting of opposition unity was held in Patna on 23 June, which was attended by over 15 parties and was called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Among those who attended the meeting were AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.