Opposition Parties' Meeting: In a significant announcement, Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), revealed that the upcoming meeting of the opposition would be convened in Bengaluru on July 13 and 14.
This decision marks a change from the initial plan announced during the first opposition meeting held in Patna on June 23, where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had declared that the subsequent gathering would take place in Shimla.
The Bengaluru meeting aims to strategize and forge a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Pawar, the Chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), criticized the BJP-led Central government over the issue of the Uniform Civil Code. He asserted that instead of focusing on the UCC, the government should prioritize implementing reservations for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies.
Speaking at a press conference in Pune, Maharashtra, he also condemned the Centre's lack of action in addressing the ongoing violence in Manipur, stating that the state is facing a critical situation while the Modi government remains inactive in resolving the crisis.
In addition, Pawar remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to be apprehensive following the meeting of opposition parties in Patna.
Regarding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) debate, he stated that the NCP would disclose its stance after thoroughly evaluating the recommendations and demands of different communities.
However, he emphasized that before delving into the UCC issue, it is crucial to address the longstanding demand for women's reservation in Assemblies and the Lok Sabha. These remarks were made by the esteemed leader while highlighting the importance of fulfilling this demand.
Recently, 16 opposition parties gathered in Patna to strategize and prepare a comprehensive roadmap to tackle the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The prolonged four-hour meeting was concluded on a contentious note, with a heated exchange between Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Expressing its stand strongly, the AAP announced that it would refrain from attending any opposition party meeting in future where the Congress would be involved.
Unless Congress publicly condemns the central government's controversial ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi, the AAP stated that it will continue to refrain from participating in any future opposition party meetings.