Kolkata: Uniting the Opposition against the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha election emerged as the key point of discussion in the meeting between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Monday. Both the leaders stressed defeating the BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections and how it is possible to stop the saffron juggernaut by uniting the Opposition parties.
Kumar who reached the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna at around 2 pm along with his deputy Tejashwi Yadav described the 30-minute-long meeting as "positive" and stressed the importance of strengthening the Opposition unity in defeating the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
"It is important to unite the Opposition to defeat the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The Opposition parties need to sit together and strategize," Kumar said. Indicating that he will hold similar meetings with Mamata in the future also, Kumar said that they had an understanding in the past.
"Today we have discussed that everyone should prepare together for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Let everyone sit together and decide the next step. Whatever happens, will be for the good of the country," said Kumar.
Referring to the freedom struggle, Kumar said that if everyone does not unite "they (BJP) will change history." adding that this is the reason why they are reaching out to everyone. Kumar also praised his West Bengal counterpart for ushering in development in the State and took potshots at the ruling party at the Centre alleging that they are least bothered about safeguarding the interests of the country and are only concerned about promoting themselves.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo agreed with Kumar saying that she had given similar suggestions before. "There is no question of ego here. Trinamool Congress is ready to share the platform and put up a united fight against the BJP," said Mamata. Asked about the involvement of the Congress in the opposition unity, the West Bengal Chief Minister said "All parties were involved."
"I requested Nitishji that Jaiprakash Narayan started his movement from Bihar. In this case, the first meeting of the alliance should be held in Bihar. We will then decide our next course of action. Manifesto or everything else will come later. First, there is a need to convey this message to the people of the country that we are together," she said, adding "I want BJP to become zero. They have become a big hero with the media's support and lies".
The TMC supremo made it clear that she has no issues with joining forces against the BJP adding that she wants the saffron party's tally to come down to zero. "I want BJP to become zero. They have become a big hero with the media's support and lies. They want to stay in power by creating false videos, spreading lies, bullying. It can't go on like this," she said.
