Patna Opposition joint presser: 'Meet was fruitful, we have decided to work together' | LIVE UPDATES

"No one can stop Narendra Modi from becoming the Prime Minister in 2024. This alliance of selfishness is targeting India. Whenever these political parties came together, they brought along corruption and familyism," said Union Minister Smriti Irani on Patna opposition meeting.

"The meeting of the Opposition parties failed today as they only decided on when to meet next. They had said they would fight the 2024 election together earlier. Such meetings will not affect BJP. Today, people can see PM Modi addressing the US Congress," said BJP leader Sushil Modi on the Opposition meeting.

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Patna opposition meeting said that "They don't have a common ideology, they are just a bunch of unsatisfied people who gathered here (Patna) today against PM Modi."

AAP's blackmailing in beginning itself shows future of this unholy alliance, said BJP's Smriti Irani on opposition unity meet.

Target of this opposition unity is not PM Modi but nation's coffers, said BJP leader Smriti Irani.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the Opposition parties were meeting in Patna not to dislodge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government but to save their own political dynasties. He also took a swipe at his former ally and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray who had in the past criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for joining hands with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir.

“They have said the meeting is for `Modi Hatao' (remove Modi), but they are working to protect their dynasties. Uddhav Thackeray used to criticize us for joining hands with (PDP leader) Mehbooba Mufti in Kashmir. Now he is sitting next to Mehbooba Mufti and talking about forming an alliance,” news agency PTI quoted Fadnavis.

Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray after Patna opposition meeting, said ""We have different ideologies, but we have come together to save the diversity and integrity of the country."

We can't let Gandhi's India to become Godse's country, said PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti after Patna opposition unity meeting

CPI leader D Raja alleged that the BJP's nine-year rule has become "disastrous and detrimental" to constitution of our country.

 "We will fight together against the political vendetta of the BJP. Let our blood flow, but we will protect the people and the country. Next meeting will be held in Shimla," said Mamata Banerjee after opposition meeting held in Patna.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said that the message from Patna meeting is clear for all of us that we need to work together to save the country.

People of our country want us to fight unitedly against BJP and RSS, said RJD leader Lalu Prasad.

"We are preparing a common agenda to fight and will soon hold another meeting on July 10 or 12 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh," says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at a joint press conference of opposition parties in Patna.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav after opposition meeting held in Patna, said, "I am interacting with you after so many days. I am fit now and I'll make them (BJP) fit."

"It is a battle of ideologies. Indeed, there will be differences amongst us but we have decided to work together and protect the ideologies shared by us," said Rahul Gandhi after opposition meeting held in Patna. 

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah after the joint opposition meeting in Patna said, "...We have met to save the country from devastation and to bring democracy back. I & Mehbooba Mufti belong to that part of the country where democracy is murdered...Yesterday in America there were discussions about democracy in the White House...why this democracy doesn't reach Jammu&Kashmir...".

Except for the Indian National Congress, all other 11 parties, which have representation in the Rajya Sabha, have clearly expressed their stand against the Black Ordinance (Centres's ordinance on Delhi govt) and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, has yet to make its position on the Black Ordinance public. Congress’ silence raises suspicions about its real intentions," says Aam Aadmi Party: Aam Aadmi Party statement following Opposition parties' meeting in Patna

It was a good meeting where it has been decided to fight the elections together. Another meeting will be held soon: JD(U) leader & Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Opposition meeting in Patna

In a joint press conference, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that the meeting was fruitful and the leaders have decided to work together.

The next Opposition meeting is likely to be held in Shimla. As per the sources, the two-day meeting will be held in Congress-ruled state.

Bihar | Opposition leaders' meeting being held in Patna, concludes.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on opposition meeting in Patna said that people with different ideologies have gathered together but they will not achieve anything.

"Today, the unity of political parties is not that important, rather it is important to unite people on the issues prevailing in the country. Congress and BJP are responsible for the problems our country is facing today. If political parties unite taking BJP or Congress along with them, it will not benefit the country," said Telangana Minister KTR Rao on Opposition Meeting.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday dubbed as a "photo session" the meeting of opposition leaders in Patna, and said their unity is nearly impossible and they will face drubbing in the next Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a public rally here, Shah also slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he has the habit of criticising everything. Referring to the opposition meet underway in Bihar's capital, Shah said, "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 BJP, NDA and Modi (in 2024).

"There is no vacancy for the post of PM in 2024. Opposition unity is a lie, it is just for photos.  Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar fought against the Emergency imposed by Congress but now they are joining hands with them," said Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras on Opposition Meeting.

Top leaders of Opposition parties held deliberations here on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting flanked on either side by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad. Sources said more than 30 leaders of 15 Opposition parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief minister's 1, Aney Marg, residence here.

"In this meeting, all dynast parties are forging alliances to save their families. Similar attempts were made in 2019 as well but to no avail, said Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Opposition Meeting.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Friday presided over the opposition parties meeting under way here flanked on either side by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad. Leaders of more than a dozen opposition political parties sat inside a sprawling conference room to chalk out a joint strategy to defeat BJP in the Lok Sabha poll in 2024. Meanwhile, JD(U) has posted a picture on its Twitter handle which read, "Grand alliance of Indian hearts, not parties." 

Opposition parties are together going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday and claimed a battle was on between his party's "'Bharat Jodo' ideology and the BJP's 'Bharat Todo' thinking". Underscoring the importance of unity in party ranks, he also claimed the Congress would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Accusing the BJP of working to "divide India and spread hate and violence", he asserted that a fight of ideologies was going on in India. "On the one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and the BJP and RSS' 'Bharat Todo' thinking is on the other hand," Gandhi said while addressing a large gathering of Congress workers and leaders at the party office in the Sadaqat Ashram area here.

'This is a meeting of familyism, nepotism and corrupt people. This is not going to make any difference, next time PM Modi will cross 400,' said West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari on Opposition Meeting.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting.

Top leaders of Opposition parties began deliberations here on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. Sources said the meeting was being seen as a starting point for the Opposition parties to come together to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP. Therefore, a basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now, they said.

"2024 Lok Sabha elections is not about the making the next government, but saving the Constitution of the country," said Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sunil Singh on Patna opposition meeting.

Bihar: Opposition leaders' meeting to chalk out a joint strategy to take on BJP in next year's Lok Sabha elections has commenced in Patna. More than 15 opposition parties are attending the meeting.

"Wish me good luck," said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee ahead of attending the opposition meeting in Patna.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said all Opposition parties are going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections unitedly. Accusing the BJP of working to "divide India and spread hate and violence", he asserted that a fight of ideologies is going on in India. On one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and on the other the BJP and RSS' 'Bharat Todo' ideology, Gandhi said.

"I especially thank Congress for publicly announcing that they cannot alone defeat PM Modi and that they need the support of others to do so," said Union Minister Smriti Irani on Opposition Meeting. 

Jharkhand CM and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren reached Bihar's Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting. More than 15 opposition parties are meeting today to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

If we win Bihar, then we can win across the country, said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to party workers in Bihar's Patna

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren will reach Patna shortly. His supporters gathered outside the airport with dhols to welcome him.

Congress leaders welcome party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi as they arrive in Bihar's Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting

Posters taking a jibe at the Opposition unity, portraying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as 'Devdas of real life', put up outside the BJP office in Patna, Bihar.

Ahead of the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday said if democracy has to survive after 2024, then political parties will have to show a big heart in national interest to instil confidence among voters. In an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and K Chandrasekhar Roa-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have national ambitions, but this will help Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly and support "dictatorship".

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said a decision on whether to oppose the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi would be taken before the Parliament session. His remarks come a day after the AAP's ultimatum that it will walk out of the Opposition meeting in Patna if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAP's ultimatum, Kharge, before leaving for Patna this morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliament's Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament.

"All of us (opposition parties) want to fight against the BJP unitedly; ending their rule is our agenda," said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of participating in the opposition meeting in Patna.

"We have to make a strategy for the national level. Everyone believes that we have to fight the elections unitedly. This is the first meeting and more meetings will be held after this", said Tariq Anwar, Congress ahead of Opposition Meeting in Bihar's Patna.

"They have forgotten that Bihar never supports corrupt people. Congress was defeated, then RJD (Lalu Yadav) lost its power, and now it's time for Nitish Kumar. He will lose the CM post and will get zero seats. PM will again form the government in 2024," he took a jibe at the opposition meeting. 

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said various important issues plaguing the country, including the current situation in violence-hit Manipur, will be discussed in the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna. Top leaders of opposition parties will meet in the Bihar capital on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JDU) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav (RJD).

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar leaves for Bihar's Patna from Pune to attend Opposition Meeting. We are meeting to discuss some important issues of the country and decide the future course of action. Manipur issue will also be discussed, he said. 

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah, arrived in Bihar's Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaves for Patna from his residence in Delhi to attend the Opposition Meeting.

The Trinamool Congress considers Friday's opposition meeting in Bihar's Patna as a "good beginning" ahead of the 2024 general elections and emphasised the significance of anti-BJP parties uniting against "undemocratic and authoritarian policies". Leaders as diverse as Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin, Sharad Pawar, Mehbooba Mufti and Hemant Soren and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are expected to take part in the meeting convened by Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar, who dumped the BJP last year. Banerjee will be accompanied by TMC national general secretary and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee for the opposition meeting.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti arrived here on Thursday to take part in the opposition meeting, a day ahead of the conclave. Mufti, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party, did not take questions from journalists at the airport here and went straight to the guest house where invitees are being put up. The meeting on June 23 was convened by Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar in a bid to forge an opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Top leaders of Opposition parties will brainstorm at a meeting here on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with sources saying that they would look to avoid the prickly leadership question and emphasise on common ground.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend the first high-level opposition meeting.