THE opposition parties meeting held on June 23 at Patna, attended by national leaders from 15 opposition parties, delivered a strong response to the skeptics who frequently question the existence of opposition against Modi. It conveyed a powerful message of unity, highlighting that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the opposition stands together in challenging the NDA's authoritarian and communal politics and striving to protect the nation from the clutches of those who venerate Godse.

Mainstream media was engaged in widespread speculation regarding the ongoing efforts to unite opposition parties to safeguard democracy and uphold the secular and republican principles enshrined in the Indian constitution after the postponement of the opposition parties meeting scheduled earlier for June 12.

The government led by Modi at the centre poses a grave challenge to the secular and democratic forces and it is incumbent upon them to save the country from the disastrous policies pursued by the corporate-communal-authoritarian regime at the centre.

The opposition parties meeting lasted for three and a half hours. A joint press conference was subsequently held and was addressed by all leaders from different political parties. While addressing the joint press conference, Sitaram Yechury underlined the need to protect the secular democratic character of the Indian republic. The current BJP regime is attempting to impose a fascistic Hindutva regime, thereby undermining the rich legacy of the national movement. He expressed concern that all the pillars of the constitution are presently under attack. In response to these challenges, the opposition parties have united and plan to organise movements in the upcoming months, addressing issues such as skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, unemployment, and other concerns affecting the common people. The seat-sharing arrangement for the united fight against the BJP will be discussed at the state level.

The political landscape witnessed a significant turning point since August 9, 2022 when Nitish Kumar left the NDA and joined the Mahagathbandhan, marking the initiation of a new chapter in the political realignment within Bihar. This move left the BJP without a substantial ally, thereby paving the way for potential political realignments at the national level.

Subsequently, in the span of time that followed, Nitish Kumar took upon himself the responsibility of engaging with leaders from various political parties, extending invitations for them to come together despite their differences, all in pursuit of a greater cause. Notably, the ailing Lalu Prasad and his younger son Tejaswi Yadav also played instrumental roles in this process.

The progression of events under the Modi government has also played a role in facilitating the realisation of this process. One such development is the recent ordinance pertaining to the Delhi state, which has raised concerns regarding its impact on the federal structure of the constitution. This move has greatly agitated Kejriwal, prompting him to seek the support of opposition parties. Previously, he had maintained a distance from the anti-BJP front or platform.

Furthermore, the outcomes of the recent assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and the Delhi Municipal Corporation have significantly challenged the perceived invincibility of Modi and the BJP, denting their aura of electoral dominance.

In the larger context of positive political developments, the meeting of opposition parties in Bihar marks a significant and bold initial step towards gearing up for a decisive battle in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary general elections.

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge representing the Congress party, veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar, RJD leaders Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav, general secretaries of CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(ML) Sitaram Yechury,                    D Raja, and Dipankar Bhattacharya respectively, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, PDP's Mahbooba Mufti, and National Conference's Omar Abdullah from Kashmir, along with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, joined forces and spoke in unison to collaborate in defeating the BJP and its allies.

The Patna edition of the Times of India reported on the opposition meeting, stating: “With as many as 15 top opposition parties agreeing to fight the election together burying their differences may have far-reaching consequences and it will be difficult for BJP to repeat the 2019 Lok Sabha poll performance since it will prevent a split in secular votes.”

The response from BJP leaders at the national and state level demonstrated their nervousness and a sense of desperation as they resorted to name-calling, witnessing the emergence of opposition unity unfolding before their eyes.

The meeting in Patna marks just the beginning of the process of opposition unity, with many more steps to be taken in the future.