Smriti Irani Thanks Congress For Admitting They Cannot Defeat PM Modi Alone

Taking a dig at the opposition meet in Patna, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday thanked the Congress for publicly acknowledging that the grand-old Party cannot defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone and need support from others.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is hosting a meeting of opposition parties at his official residence, which is expected to set the tone for the much-hyped Opposition unity to take on the BLP-led NDA government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"I thank Congress for publicly announcing that they cannot alone defeat PM Modi and that they need the support of others to do so," says Union Minister Smriti Irani during a press conference.

Nearly 18 opposition parties are expected to join the crucial meeting called by the Janata Dal (United) chief, who snapped ties with the BJP last year. The meeting is aimed at boosting the Opposition's morale which has been hurt by the frequent squabbling and infighting of parties.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin, Sharad Pawar, Mehbooba Mufti and Hemant Soren, and other leaders are attending the meeting.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati would miss the crucial meet and clarified her stance against an opposition alliance saying it was more like joining hands, not hearts.

The Biju Janata Dal of Odisha, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the YSR Congress Party are among the non-BJP parties which are likely to give the meeting a miss.

The opposition leaders are likely to discuss the alleged misuse of investigating agencies by the Centre to violence in Manipur, the wrestlers' protest and even the Delhi ordinance, and social justice in Patna on Friday. During the mega opposition meeting, Nitish Kumar is likely to urge everyone to present their opinions on drawing up a strategy on how to fight the BJP as one for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.