New Delhi, Apr 13 (FN Agency) The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday discussed strategy on Opposition unity to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The latest development comes a day after the grand old party, Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) unanimously decided to work together to bring the ‘like-minded’ parties together and fight against the ruling dispensation in the general elections. NCP president Sharad Pawar held a meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence here on Thursday, and decided to work together in this direction. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was also present.
“This is just the beginning,” Pawar, flanked by Kharge and Gandhi, told reporters shortly after the meeting. In an apparent reference to chairperson of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Mamata Banerjee and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Pawar added ,” Whether Mamata ji, Kejriwal ji, or other parties with whom so far talks have not started, there is a need for discussion with them and bring them together. We will work in this direction.” Echoing a similar sentiment, the Congress president while apprising about his meeting Pawar said, “We will talk one by one with everyone (like-minded party). Sharad Pawar is also saying we will meet everyone and try to go forward unitedly”. Endorsing Pawar, the former Congress president , “This is just the beginning to unite the Opposition. We all the parties are committed for this process.” Bihar Chief Minister and senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, who has been attacking the BJP since he snapped ties with the saffron party in Bihar had said, “We have decided to work together to unite maximum parties. All those who will agree, we will sit together later (to deliberate on to take on BJP).”