Opposition meet today: AAP may exit if Cong doesn't oppose Delhi ordinance| 10 points
4 min read 23 Jun 2023, 07:23 AM ISTLeaders from 18 opposition parties are gathering in Patna to discuss the recent ordinance issued by the Union government concerning the control of bureaucrats in Delhi. The Congress is expected to remain non-committal on the matter, which could undermine the prospects of opposition unity.
PremiumOne of the largest gatherings of its kind in recent years, the meeting in Patna brings together 18 opposition parties, carrying particular significance as the next general elections are only nine months away.
However, the focus of the discussion is unlikely to revolve around regional arrangements, alignments, or the concept of a common minimum program. Instead, the recent ordinance by the Union government concerning the control of bureaucrats in Delhi is expected to heavily influence the proceedings. Leaders participating in the meeting anticipate a potential clash between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party due to this matter. Here are top ten key updates.
1. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who advocates for opposition unity against the ordinance, may raise objections if the Congress party maintains a non-committal stance, as reported by The Hindustan Times citing sources. This potential disagreement could undermine the prospects of opposition unity even before it materializes.
2. The ordinance, issued by President Droupadi Murmu on May 20, was introduced to counteract the Supreme Court's ruling, which granted the elected Delhi government under Kejriwal the authority to legislate and oversee "services" in the national capital. The ordinance established an administrative body consisting of the Chief Minister and two bureaucrats, stating that all decisions would be made through majority voting.
3. Although several opposition parties have expressed their support for Kejriwal, the Congress, which is the arch-rival of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, Punjab, and other states, has remained silent on the matter. Despite Kejriwal's request for a meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, both of whom are participating in the opposition meeting, have not yet held discussions with him. However, it may prove challenging for them to avoid such a meeting on Friday.
4. Under pressure, the Congress party is unlikely to lend support to Kejriwal's stance. According to senior leaders, the principal opposition party does not feel obligated to take a position on the Delhi ordinance during the Patna meeting. One Congress strategist stated, “The monsoon session is a month away. How can AAP force us to take a stand."
5. According to a leader from another party, who is actively involved in organizing the highly anticipated meeting, their understanding differs. “One of the main areas of discussion would be the federal structure and the Narendra Modi government’s unnecessary interference in the Opposition-ruled states. The Delhi ordinance issue can be discussed in this larger context."
6. Certain participating parties are anticipated to put forth the idea of fielding common candidates in approximately 400-450 seats to maximize the non-BJP votes. However, there is skepticism among others regarding whether seat sharing, which is arguably the most contentious issue in the coalition formation, can be effectively discussed and resolved during the initial meeting of these parties.
7. “Parties with 30+ MPs (Congress, TMC, DMK) will obviously have a greater say. We will emphasize on the points on agreement and not to go with points of disagreement. Price rise, employment, interference with states, federal issues, people issues will be discussed and will form the binding glue for opposition unity," said a senior TMC leader.
8. Vijay Chowdhary, a leader of Nitish Kumar's party and a minister in Bihar, described the upcoming Patna conclave as a significant and unprecedented event. He emphasized that it would be a historic meeting since no similar gathering had taken place previously. Chowdhary expressed his belief that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could be defeated, stating that although opposition parties may have differences at the state level, this meeting would enable them to come together and make a collective decision to fight together.
9. The expected participants of the 2023 Opposition meet includes Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren, West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, and Jammu and Kashmir's Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.
10. Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary will skip the opposition leaders' huddle in Patna on Friday due to a family programme but expressed hope the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity", reported ANI. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, and Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao refused to join the opposition party meet.
(With inputs from agencies)
