United we stand: Opposition unity rides over ordinance storm in Patna

The opposition meet in Patna dotted with initial glitches took off with a press conference of all different parties. While the highlight of the meet was the desire to work together to take on the bjp in 2024 but serious issues of disagreement between AAP and the Congress remain . It is not difficult to ascertain the reason behind this as the two parties have always vied for the same constituency state after state particularly in Delhi Punjab Gujarat.
The monumental meeting among 16 opposition parties, hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, concluded in Patna recently. The landmark event, marked by animated discussions spanning four hours, resulted in a united resolution among the opposition to jointly contest the upcoming elections. However, the finer details of this decision, such as seat sharing and party-wise division, are yet to be finalised. The participating parties plan to reconvene next month in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, for a detailed discussion on these issues.
The Opposition’s show of unity was not without notable absences, however. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin were conspicuously absent from the joint press conference held post-meeting. Nitish Kumar downplayed their absence, claiming that the two had to leave prematurely to catch their respective flights.
While the Opposition continued to promote their newfound unity, the AAP announced a potentially significant complication. The party declared it will not be part of any future Opposition gatherings until the Congress publicly opposes a contentious central ordinance, which strips the Delhi government of control over administrative services.
Tensions ran high during the meeting, with heated exchanges between the Congress and AAP, stemming from the controversial ordinance. Arvind Kejriwal demanded that the Congress clarify its stance on the issue. Congress President Kharge maintained a positive tone, stating that another meeting will be held between July 10 and 12 to determine the electoral strategy for each state. He also reiterated the Opposition’s resolve to oust the BJP from power and expressed confidence in their ability to form the next government. Adding to this sentiment, Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader, emphasised the necessity to protect democratic institutions from alleged attacks and maintained that while ideological differences exist within the Opposition, they will work flexibly together to protect their shared principles.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee echoed these sentiments. She underscored the unity of the Opposition, stating that the parties would fight the BJP as a unified entity. She also voiced her concerns over the BJP’s alleged dictatorial rule and cited various instances, including economic downfall, atrocities against Dalits, violence against women, unemployment issues, and partisan recruitment in universities as evidence of BJP’s misrule.
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah stressed the principle-driven nature of this Opposition unity. They expressed concern about the treatment of minorities and the overall direction of the nation under the current government, advocating for preserving Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of India.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, despite ideological differences with other parties, vowed to defend the country’s democratic values. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India’s D Raja condemned the BJP’s nine-year reign as disastrous and called for a restoration of the Republic.
However, the BJP responded to the Opposition meeting by alleging that it was merely a gathering of dynastic parties trying to secure their future. The party claimed that these selfish alliances were designed to undermine India’s economic development.
As the dust settles on this high-stakes political gathering, the road to the next electoral battle is fraught with questions and uncertainties. Will the Opposition’s unity withstand the pressures of diverse ideologies and regional interests? Or will this grand alliance falter under its own weight? Only time will tell.