Bihar: Congress to attend Nitish Kumar’s mega opposition meet

The Congress will attend a potentially crucial meeting of ‘like-minded’ political parties – those that oppose the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – scheduled for June 12 in Patna, Bihar, according to the party’s communications in-charge, Jairam Ramesh. N

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi met with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in New Delhi at the former’s residence.

This comes less than ten days after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss meeting strategy, which sources said focused on distinguishing between state and national issues.

“Country will be united now. Strength of democracy is our message… Rahul Gandhi and myself discussed current political situation with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar…” Kharge tweeted after the meeting.

“We will attend the meeting on June 12 (in Patna). Who (will be deputed) has to be decided. I am sure Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) and other leaders will decide but we will attend the meeting,” Ramesh revealed to reporters.

The chief minister’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will also be present; “Since all opposition parties have enlisted participation, we, too, will attend,” Soren told reporters. In Jharkhand, the Congress and the JMM are allies.