Patna Oppn meeting off to a good start, parties resolve to contest together, set date for next talks

The one sour note in the cordial exchange was a tiff between Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal over the latter’s insistence that the Congress clarify its stand on a Delhi ordinance passed by the Centre. Sources said Kharge stuck to his guns, and had the support of most parties on the matter.

All the 32 leaders from the 15 parties present backed unity to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Sources said JD(U) supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish, who put together the meeting, told the leaders that many more smaller parties — at least 10 in his estimation — will join the Opposition camp closer to the 2024 elections.

Sources said Rahul told the parties that he had not brought any “past likes and dislikes” to the table, and he believed they needed to be together, “whatever it took”. He was apparently referring to NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s mention of remarks by Rahul on Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, which had soured ties between the Congress and ally Shiv Sena (UBT).

At the joint media briefing later by leaders of 13 parties, addressed by Nitish, Kharge, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, among others, the parties said they will fight the 2024 elections together. Describing Friday’s meeting as “very good”, Nitish said seat-sharing talks would be held at the Shimla meeting, and that such unity was needed at a time when “even history is being changed”.

The AAP skipped the press conference.

Rahul said that there may be “small differences” between the parties, but “we all have decided to work together with flexibility”. He said Opposition unity was a process which would be taken up strongly.

Kharge noted that parties of all regions covered by Rahul during his Bharat Jodo Yatra were part of the Opposition unity efforts.

During the talks, sources said, Pawar suggested a joint statement before the media, but the AAP-Congress tiff perhaps prompted the leaders to shelve the idea. The Left parties suggested drawing up a common minimum programme, but there were not many takers.

The elephant in the room was clearly the issue of seat-sharing and seat adjustments. Sources said RJD chief Lalu Prasad told the Congress that it should show large heartedness, and that the biggest party in every state should lead the fight in that state, with the others extending support and cooperation. Mamata agreed with this, adding that the Congress could count on the support of other parties in states where it is formidable.

Sources said Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul sought to set the right tone by letting other leaders speak first. “Nitish spoke first. When the Congress was asked to speak… Kharge said since the Congress is the largest party, it will speak last and listen to everybody first,” a leader said.

Lalu appreciated the Congress’s gesture.

There was consensus that issues like a policy document and seat adjustments can be taken up in subsequent meetings.

While he lost no time distancing himself from the gathering as soon as it got over, during the talks, Kejriwal suggested that parties “nurture a bond of unity” and strive to ensure one-on-one contests against the BJP. He is learnt to have also suggested that parties put on hold plans for expansion in newer territories till the Lok Sabha elections.

When Kejriwal demanded that the Congress announce its stand on the Delhi ordinance – taking away substantial powers of the Delhi government — at the press conference, Kharge refused.

He said while the party would not support anything that is “anti-Constitutional”, it would take a position after internal discussions, and in time for the next Parliament session, where the ordinance will come up for ratification.

Sources said most of the other leaders supported the Congress, and that Mamata intervened to play the referee when the verbal exchange between the two threatened to become ugly.

As Kejriwal pressed on, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti reminded the AAP of its vociferous support to the Centre’s move to abrogate Article 370 and bifurcate J&K into two Union territories, unlike the other Opposition parties.

DMK chief and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin favoured different tactics and strategies for different states, when it comes to seat-sharing. He said ideas like common candidates can be explored.

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury argued that parties should focus on the issue of livelihood and the hardships faced by people.

Sena (UBT) leader Thackeray said parties might have different ideologies but “the nation was more important”.

At the press conference, Mamata made a mention of the fact that veterans Pawar and Lalu were involved with the unity effort, acknowledged Rahul and Kharge’s presence on the dais, and thanked Nitish for making “a good beginning”. “We are also patriotic and say Bharat Mata ki Jai. We are also hurt when Manipur is burning,” she said, adding that there was fear that the “descent towards dictatorship” meant the country might not see elections in 2029.

Lalu, in long recuperation after a kidney transplant, indicated he was back in form. “I am fit now. Ab Modi ko fit karenge (Now, we will sort out Modi),” he quipped, going on to suggest to Rahul that he get married. “There is still time. We will be happy to be part of your wedding party.”

Omar said it was ironic that the Prime Minister was talking about democracy in the US. “I wonder why it has not reached Jammu and Kashmir yet. There has been Central rule for five years now.”

The 15 parties present at the meeting included the JD(U), RJD, Congress, TMC, DMK, Samajwadi Party, NCP, Sena (UBT), AAP, JMM, National Conference, PDP, CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(M-L).

The talks were held at the official residence of the Bihar CM at 1, Anney Marg. The leaders present included Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Punjab CM and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, JMM chief and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, CPI leader D Raja and the CPI(M-L)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya.