Opposition unity meeting will be gamechanger in Indian politics, says Congress’ Venugopal

BENGALURU: With leaders of at least 26 Opposition parties converging in Bengaluru today and tomorrow as part of their efforts to present a united front against the BJP government in the Centre, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the the parties are coming together together ‘to fight against authoritarianism, communalism, and corruption’.

“I heartily welcome the leaders of the prominent opposition parties in the country who have come together to fight against authoritarianism, communalism, and corruption. May the seeds sown in this peaceful garden of harmony bear the fruit to restore secular, socialist, and democratic values as enshrined in our Constitution”, he tweeted.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who has been deputed as in-charge to monitor all the preparations for the meeting, noted, “I think all the Opposition parties of this country, except a few, have joined together for a good beginning. This is not the meeting of an individual political party, it is shaping this country for the future of 140 crore people who are suffering on various issues. We feel that with this understanding and unity, we will take it forward and the results will come out…just as Karnataka gave us a mandate, the entire country will give us a mandate in 2024. We will take it forward”, he said at a press conference.

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the meeting will decide the future course of action of the Opposition parties. “The Parliament session begins on July 20 and we will chalk out our strategies in Parliament also. We are very sure this coming together will be a be a gamechanger in the Indian political scenario”.

Venugopal said those who were speaking against the Oppositin parties after the Patna meeting are themselves meeting now, referring to the NDA. “This is the real success of our meeting”, he said.

Congress as the general secretary in charge of communication, publicity and media, Jairam Ramesh, echoing Venugopal, said the Prime Minister and the BJP are scared after Opposition meeting in Patna. “The Prime Minister began thinking of the NDA after our meeting and is trying to infuse new life into it. There was no mention of the NDA all this time”.