- Wednesday, May 07, 2025
Top leaders of opposition parties came together in Patna on June 23 to devise a roadmap for forming an anti-BJP coalition for the upcoming general elections.
By: Shubham Ghosh
Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (23) confidently proclaimed that opposition parties would join forces to defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of prime minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 general elections. He characterised the battle as one between the Congress party’s “Bharat Jodo” (Unite India) ideology and the BJP’s “Bharat Todo” (Divide India) thinking.
The 53-year-old underscored the significance of unity within the Congress’s ranks and predicted victory for the party in upcoming elections in state such as Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana later this year.
Accusing the BJP of engaging in divisive tactics and promoting hatred and violence, Gandhi said a clash of ideologies was taking place in India. He addressed a large gathering of his party’s workers and leaders at the party office in the Sadaqat Ashram area in Patna, the capital of the eastern state of Bihar, saying, “On the one hand, there is the Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo’ ideology, and on the other hand, there is the BJP and RSS’ ‘Bharat Todo’ thinking.”
Top leaders of opposition parties came together in Patna to devise a roadmap for forming an anti-BJP coalition for the upcoming general elections. The meeting, hosted by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, aimed to consolidate opposition forces.
Highlighting the example of the southern state of Karnataka where the Congress defeated the BJP in the state polls last month, Gandhi pointed out that when the Congress stood united, the BJP’s influence diminished. He confidently predicted that the BJP would face defeat in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, while emphasising the Congress’ commitment to serving the underprivileged.
Gandhi stressed that the Congress party’s approach centered on unity, love, and fighting against hatred. He asserted that hate could only be countered with love and that the Congress worked to unite people and champion their interests. He criticised Modi and the BJP, claiming they favored a select few individuals and were transferring the country’s wealth into their hands.
Expressing gratitude to Congress workers for their dedication and support during the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ (Unite India March), Gandhi praised their commitment to the party’s ideology. He assured them of the Congress’ responsibility to protect and support them, referring to them as “Babbar Sher” (lions) who fight for the party’s ideals.
In a Hindi tweet, Gandhi reiterated the objective of uniting India and defeating those who seek to divide the nation. The opposition meeting, attended by Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and other party leaders, aimed to strategise and form a plan to counter the BJP in the 2024 general elections.
Indian home minister Amit Shah, the second most powerful leader in the BJP after Modi, on Friday reacted to the meeting of the opposition parties and mocked it to be a “photo session”. He said unity would not be possible for the anti-BJP parties and Modi would become the prime minister for the third time with a massive majority.
(With agency inputs)
