Rahul calls on Pawar to rev up anti-BJP Opp unity bid

The results of the bypolls seemed to have set the tone for the Opposition unity with Congress president Rahul Gandhi calling on NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Wednesday night in order to step up efforts for a united front against the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The Rahul-Pawar meeting — within hours of the BJP’s defeat in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls — is significant also because it came just two days after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s dinner for Opposition leaders. The feast was attended by leaders of 20 parties.

Rahul has highlighted the contribution of BSP founder Kanshi Ram and lauded his efforts in bringing the downtrodden and lower castes into the political mainstream. He described Kanshi Ram as a social reformer on his birth anniversary.

Rahul is likely to meet TMC president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee soon. Mamata is expected to attend a joint Opposition meet being hosted by Pawar on March 28.