Sonia Gandhi, the former chief of the Congress party, is set to attend the second meeting of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties in Bengaluru on July 18. This meeting aims to promote unity among these parties ahead of the 2024 national elections, as they seek to form a common agenda and jointly take on the BJP. Sonia Gandhi is also expected to host a dinner for the attending leaders.
The first meeting, which took place in Patna on June 24, saw participation from 32 leaders representing 15 different parties. All but one outfit expressed their commitment to collectively challenge the BJP and work together towards the 2024 general elections. Mallikarjun Kharge, the current Congress party chief, and Rahul Gandhi represented the Congress at the Patna meeting.
In addition to the 15 parties that attended the Patna meeting, several other parties have confirmed their presence for the upcoming gathering in Bengaluru. These include Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Socialist Party, All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani).
Invitations for the second meeting were sent by Kharge, who praised the positive outcome of the Patna gathering and emphasized the importance of continuing such discussions in the run-up to the 2024 elections. The Aam Aadmi Party, which expressed concerns during the Patna meeting, has also been invited for the Bengaluru gathering.
The parties attending these meetings collectively hold 210 seats in Parliament and govern 11 states. The three-hour-long meeting in Patna at the residence of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was fruitful, with participants reaching a consensus on moving forward and collaborating in future elections.
As the preparations for the 2024 national elections begin, these meetings of non-BJP parties aim to foster unity and develop a shared agenda to effectively challenge the ruling party. With Sonia Gandhi’s presence and her intention to host a dinner for the attending leaders, it is evident that the non-BJP parties are committed to strengthening their alliances and coordinating their efforts for the upcoming polls.
The Bengaluru meeting is expected to provide further clarity on the strategies and priorities of these parties as they seek to present a formidable challenge to the BJP in the 2024 national elections.
