On Friday, June 23, after leaders of major opposition parties held a meeting in Patna, Bihar, hosted by Bihar CM and JDU Chief, Nitish Kumar, the BJP took jibes at the meeting, calling the event a ‘photo opportunity’, and saying that the ‘unity’ is nearly impossible to exist. The meeting was held for the opposition parties to chalk out the plans for coming together and fighting the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, to defeat the party.
BJP Chief JP Nadda remarked that the leaders who attended the meeting were those, who were jailed during the Emergency by the Congress and the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, and were now welcoming her grandson, Rahul Gandhi. Addressing the public in Odisha’s Bhawanipatna, Nadda said, “Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by Indira Gandhi are now joining hands with her grandson, Rahul Gandhi”. He mentioned how during the Emergency, RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was jailed for 22 months, while JDU Chief Nitish Kumar was imprisoned for 20 months.
Nadda further expressed, “I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, Hindu Hriday Samrat, Balasaheb Thackeray, was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said that he will shut the ‘dukaan’, rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing down the ‘dukaan’”.
Addressing a rally in Jammu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that ‘opposition unity’ is nearly impossible, and slamming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that Gandhi has a habit of criticizing everything. Shah added, “A photo session is happening in Patna. All the opposition leaders have come together on a single platform to convey a message that they will challenge the BJP, the NDA, and the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in 2024”.
“All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it happens, irrespective of how unitedly you appear in front of people in 2024, Modi’s return with more than 300 seats is confirmed”, claimed Shah.
On the other hand, Union Minister Smriti Irani said, “Congress is seeking the support of other parties as it is incapable of defeating PM Modi alone. It is ironic that some of the leaders who witnessed the murder of democracy during Emergency, have now assembled under the Congress’ parasol in Patna”.
“I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi alone. It needs support. Power has moved from the palaces to the people. That is why those who take pride in their political legacy will now have to go to those they had put behind bars during Emergency”, added Irani.
