Mumbai, Aug 30 (UNI) Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar said the people of the country “want a change”. for which the Opposition leaders are gathering, here on Wednesday.
Speaking at a joint media briefing, Pawar said there is a possibility of the country’s anti-BJP parties discussing here the prickly issue of seat-sharing for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections during the two-day meeting.
The NCP chief said the first two I.N.D.I.A alliance meetings were very critical and now the joint strategy of the Opposition block to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to be discussed over the next two days.
He said a panel of senior leaders may be formed and given the task of discussing seat-sharing for the LS polls at the state and local levels.
On the occasion, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said the opposition parties will take a pledge that no dictator will come to power again.
He said: “Our agenda is to protect the Constitution against dictatorship and I.N.D.I.A alliance will not allow the federal structure to be disturbed”.
“We have several choices for the PM’s post. Does the BJP have a choice?” Thackeray asked, adding NDA has become an amoeba with no shape and size,
Asked about who would be the Convenor of INDIA, hackeray shot back, “Can you tell me the name of the Convenor of NDA?”
Reacting to the reduction in LPG price, Thackery said “After nine years they (BJP-led NDA) are giving gift to women in terms of reducing prices of LPG cylinders”.
Maharashtra unit Congress President Nana Patole said China has captured Indian territories in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and the opposition will now protect the country from foreign aggression.
“As the I.N.D.I.A. alliance grows stronger and marches ahead, China will retreat from the Indian territories… I.N.D.I.A. will protect and secure India,” declared Patole
Maharashtra ex-Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan said as many as 11 CMs and 63 leaders of 28 opposition political parties are participating in the Mumbai conclave, up from 26 which had attended in July in Bengaluru.
Chavan slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for indulging in the politics of breaking parties and toppling elected state governments in Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and then even in Maharashtra, but the Opposition remains firm and strong, and will not be cowed by such threats.
The list of parties that have confirmed participation includes: Shiv Sena (UBT) which is hosting the bloc meeting, Indian National Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), Samajwadi Party, National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Janata Dal (U), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, All India Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Peasants & Workers Party.
Other participants are Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Apna Dal, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Revolutionary Socialist Party, All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (M), KMDK, Kerala Congress (J), VCK and CPI(M-L), according to the organisers.
