RJD president Lalu Yadav attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Lalu said he has become physically fit now and the time has come to fit Modi since he has caused damage to the country.

Speaking to journalists after the joint opposition meeting in Patna, the Lalu of old times seemed to return. He invoked the recent Karnataka Assembly elections and said the BJP entered the electoral field there by invoking Lord Hanuman’s name to gain from his name in the election but it backfired on them.

Lord Hanuman has thrashed BJP with his mace and made Congress win the election, he regaled the media corps in his characteristic manner. The RJD boss also talked about PM Modi’s State visit to the US. PM Modi is no longer a national leader but he has come down to the level of a local leader. He is distributing “chandan” in the US, Lalu said. Once upon a time, he was not allowed entry into the US because of the 2002 Gujarat riots. His visa was canceled by the US authorities, he reminded the media.

Now, the country has been suffering from inflation and unemployment which has been the highest in 45 years but this government has been hiding behind Hindu-Muslim conflict and chanting Lord Hanuman. He further added Lord Hanuman has switched sides and joined the opposition party now.

On that basis, he said the BJP will see a big defeat in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election. This government has been confused with the currency circulation, a few years ago they prevent a legal tender of Rs 1000 note and issued a new Rs 2000 note and again they banned it. All opposition parties have been together in this fight against BJP, the RJD chief said.

Lalu Yadav was all praise for Rahul Gandhi for his work. He has united the whole country through the Bharat Jodo Yatra and raised genuine questions in Parliament. Following his statement, Lalu Yadav joked that Rahul Gandhi did not follow his suggestion about marriage. He should have married before but it’s never too late, the RJD veteran said, much to the amusement of everyone at the press conference.

Lalu assured that there will be another meeting in July in Shimla to prepare the agenda on how to move ahead together while working in their respective states to fight BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Former US President Barack Obama’s comment on the Indian Muslims has sparked controversy. Congress MP Manish Tewari shared a video clip of Obama’s interview with CNN’s Journalist Christiane Amanpour saying he did not see it as a mere coincidence.

Obama, whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to as Barack in 2015, in a recent interview to the CNN said in the bilateral talks between US President Biden and PM Modi, the issue of protection of ethnic minority must be raised by Biden and if he were to hold the bilateral meet, he would have certainly asked Modi to look out for the protection of the ethnic minority else a certain point India would fail.

The Obama interview came just ahead of PM Modi’s address to the US, his bilateral meet with President Biden and the State Dinner that was hosted earlier this morning.

Manish Tewari also wrote about the strong bond between Biden and Obama saying the latter has been the biggest supporter of Biden referring that Obama’s remarks was given on behalf of Joe Biden.

US President Joe Biden was Vice President under Barack Obama’s US President for 8 long years.

PM Modi who is on his maiden State visit to the United States, during a joint press briefing at the White House was asked by a journalist about minority rights especially Muslims in India.

In response, PM Modi said India and the US both are democratic countries and the rights of a minority have never been compromised. People from different castes, races, religions, and regions get equal treatment from the government as well as from the Constitution of India.

He said his government believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas, the one which he stressed on again during his address at the Joint Session of US Congress.     

Congress national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also shared the clipping of Obama’s interview on Twitter, she urged the BJP supporters to watch the clipping of Barack Obama and asked if it also had something to do with international conspiracy. She taunted Modi supporters that Obama sent a message for his friend Narendra Modi.

On the eve of the grand Opposition meeting in Patna, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal founder Lalu Yadav at the residence of his son Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday. During the meeting, Mamata Banerjee sought Lalu Yadav’s blessings by touching his feet and also greeted former CM Rabri Devi.

The West Bengal Chief Minister was with her nephew MP Abhishek Banerjee and state minister Firhad Hakim.  

After meeting Lalu Yadav, Mamata Banerjee chose not to speak much about what was discussed in the Bihar Deputy CM’s residence. The Trinamool Congress leader, however, said the Opposition will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together against the BJP.

Responding to the growing conflict between the AAP and the Congress over the latter’s yet-to-be-declared support against the Centre’s Delhi ordinance, Banerjee said she believed that all opposition parties will fight together like a family against the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The AAP and the Congress have been sniping at each other over the ordinance, with the AAP saying the Congress is deliberately delaying announcing its stand over the ordinance.

Banerjee added she had great respect for Lalu Yadav. She said he had been imprisoned for long and despite his age and added that she felt bad that such a thing had happened to the RJD leader.

She also recounted a humorous exchange she had had with Lalu Yadav when they were in the Lok Sabha together. Banerjee further said Lalu Yadav looked strong enough to take on the BJP while praying for his healthy and long life.

Earlier, Mamata Banerjee spoke to reporters after landing at Patna airport, she said she was hopeful of the meeting on Friday, June 23. She emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue among opposition parties and explained the need to defeat the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to safeguard the country.

A wide range of issues, spanning from social justice to alleged misuse of investigating agencies by the Centre, the almost two-month-long violence in Manipur, wrestlers’ protest, and the recent Delhi ordinance, are expected to be on the agenda for the opposition meeting scheduled in Patna on Friday.

Banerjee also called on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar later.