In an attempt to forge unity among opposition parties in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav are scheduled to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Sunday, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Addressing the party’s state council meeting, Prasad stated, “I, along with Nitish Kumar ji, will meet Sonia (Gandhi) ji in Delhi. I will also meet Rahul Gandhi after the completion of his ‘padyatra’… The united opposition aims to oust the BJP from power in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.”
Earlier this month, Nitish had a meeting with Rahul Gandhi, indicating his inclination towards including Congress in an anti-BJP opposition alliance. He also held discussions with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, CPIM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja, former Union minister and RJD leader Sharad Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and INLD chief OP Chautala.
While Nitish is firm in his belief that a non-BJP opposition alliance is not feasible without the Congress, bringing together diverse opposition parties poses challenges. Parties such as Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are hesitant to acknowledge the dominant role of the Congress in the coalition.