Opposition Meet LIVE | 'Well Begun is Half Done': First Day of Talks Concludes
Opposition Meet in Bengaluru: Catch all LIVE updates here.
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Opposition Meeting in Bengaluru LIVE Updates: The first day of the second leg of the Opposition meeting concluded in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July, where 26 parties were in attendance.
Taking to Twitter after the conclusion of the first day of talks Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that all parties will work to "foster an agenda of social justice, inclusive development and national welfare."
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah later hosted the parties for dinner. Several leaders including JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Yadav, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, J&K national Conference leader Omar Abdullah, and DMK chief MK Stalin were present.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar skipped the first day of the talks and will join only on Tuesday, the party said. This will be Sharad Pawar's first attendance after Ajit Pawar engineered a vertical split in the party and joined the Maharashtra government on 2 July.
Leaders of 26 Opposition parties attend joint meeting in Bengaluru.
Sonia Gandhi being greeted by DMK chief MK Stalin at the Opposition meet in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi being greeted by Akhilesh Yadav at the Opposition meet in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Leaders of 26 Opposition parties attend joint meeting in Bengaluru.
Leaders of 26 Opposition parties attend joint meeting in Bengaluru.
Sonia Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee at the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge at the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Leaders of 26 Opposition parties attend joint meeting in Bengaluru.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi being welcomed by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar upon their arrival at HAL airport ahead of the united opposition meeting, in Bengaluru, on Monday,17 July. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also seen.
RJD Chief Lalu Prasad arrives at Jai Prakash Narayan Airport to leave for Bengaluru to attend the united opposition meeting, in Patna, on Monday, 17 July.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrives at Jai Prakash Narayan Airport to leave for Bengaluru to attend the united opposition meeting, in Patna, on Monday, 17 July.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav poses for a group photo, in Bengaluru, Monday, July 17, 2023. He arrived for the opposition parties meeting.
A poster of opposition leaders put up outside the venue of the united opposition meeting, in Bengaluru, Monday, July 17, 2023.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee being welcomed by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar upon her arrival at HAL airport ahead of the united opposition meeting, in Bengaluru, Monday, July 17, 2023.
Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, D Raja, Mamata Banerjee and Sitaram Yechury at the Opposition meet in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Sonia Gandhi with Mamata Banerjee and Mallikarjun Kharge at the Opposition meet in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
The meeting is expected to hold discussions on giving a name and a structure to the Opposition alliance.
The parties are also expected to decide on appointing a convener and a committee to herald the alliance.
The Congress on Monday said that its opposition to the Delhi ordinance should not be linked with the Opposition meeting.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee will also attend the meet.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) said that this meeting will be strategically important for Opposition unity.
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Rahul Gandhi Leaves for Bengaluru
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left for Bengaluru to attend the joint Opposition meeting.
Sharad Pawar to Skip Day 1
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar will skip the first day and join the meeting only on Tuesday, the party said. This will be Sharad Pawar's first attendance after Ajit Pawar engineered a vertical split in the party and joined the Maharashtra government on 2 July.
Taking to Twitter, NCP spokesperson Mahesh tapase said: "NCP national president Shri Sharad Pawar and Executive President Supriya Sule will attend the meeting of Opposition parties to be held in Bengaluru on Tuesday 18th July."
Siddaramaiah to Host Dinner for Opposition Parties
Karnataka Chief minister Siddaramaiah will host a dinner at 7.30 pm for the parties attending the meeting in Bengaluru.
'Might Happen in Karnataka Tomorrow': Priyank Kharge
Commenting on the Delhi ordinance and the Congress' support to AAP, Karnataka MLA Priyank Kharge told news agency ANI: "We are very clear on what is happening in Delhi. The Ordinance route that they (the Centre) have taken to take away the powers of the state government is not in good taste. Today, it is happening in Delhi. Tomorrow it might happen in Karnataka."
'Hum Sab Ek Hain': Sanjay Raut Amid Uncertainty Over Pawar's Attendance
Taking to Twitter, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that after the first meeting in Patna, the talks in Bengaluru will "emerge to be decisive."
"There was confusion about whether Mr Sharad Pawar attending the meeting. He will attend the meeting in Bengaluru tomorrow morning is what I am saying with certainty. Hum Sab Ek Hai! (We are united)," he said.
Will UPA Get a New Name? Congress Answers
When asked whether the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) will get a new name during the Opposition meet, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "We will take all decisions. I can't tell you now what are the issues that are going to be discussed. Congress is not deciding this alone. All the opposition parties will sit together and decide unitedly."
'We Will Discuss': Cong on Inviting HD Kumaraswamy for Talks
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar said that the Opposition parties will discuss whether to invite JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy for talks only if he is interested in opposing the BJP.
"If he is really interested in fighting against BJP, we will discuss it on the agenda," he told ANI.
'Oppn Unity Will Be Game Changer': Congress
Addressing the media, Congress general secretary KC venugopal said that the Opposition unity will be a 'game-changer' against the BJP's misuse of power.
"Twenty-six political parties are participating in this meeting. We are all united by a common purpose: to protect democracy in this country, to ensure constitutional rights and the independence of our institutions. These are all under attack by the present regime of the BJP government," he said.
"The BJP wants to silence the Opposition's voice. They are misusing agencies to suppress the voice of the Opposition. The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi ji from Parliament is one of the biggest examples of that. The incident happening in Maharashtra is also an example of that. They want to destabilize the democratically elected by misusing these agencies," he added.
'Thinking Unitedly is Progress': DK Shivakumar
Addressing the media, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that the nation will give a mandate to united Opposition in 2024.
"Joining together is the beginning. Thinking together is progress. Working together is success! With our understanding and unity, we will take it forward. In 2024, the entire nation will give us a mandate similar to the one Karnataka gave us," he said.
Bengaluru Opposition Meeting: 7 Things That Are Likely to Happen
Despite being the first meeting, the Patna huddle was successful in laying the groundwork for greater collaboration between Opposition parties. Can they keep up the momentum in Bengaluru?
Here are seven things that are likely to happen during the two day meet:
Expanded Guest List
Focus on Monsoon Session
Convenorship Question
Seat-Sharing Discussions
Focus on Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi
AAP-Congress Equation
Timeline of Rallies, Protests and Meetings
'Ordinance Issue Not About One Person': Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Congress' opposition to the Delhi ordinance is not about one person or party.
"This is not about one person. No single person is important before the country. If the country's democracy and Constitution are under attack, it is our responsibility to save the nation unitedly," Kharge said.
"They (the BJP) only break parties whenever they get a chance. They break governments who get elected. If your party is so strong, why are you breaking other parties? As long as leaders are in any other party, they are corrupt. And when they join you, they get cleaned up in your washing machine," he added.
'Never Believed in Secular Ideology': JD(S)-Congress Trade Barbs
The Congress and the HD Kumaraswamy-led JD(S) traded barbs over the latter refusing a part of the Opposition alliance
Speaking to the media earlier on Monday, Kumaraswamy said: "The Opposition never considered the JD(S) a part of them. So, there is no question of JD(S) being a party of any Mahagathbandhan."
He further said that the NDA has not invited the party for any meeting either.
Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao slammed the JD(S) and said that the party never really believed in secular ideology and has allied with the BJP in the past.
"I think the tag of Janata Dal (Secular) needs to go. They should accept that they will do anything for the sake of power. They have no principles, no ideology. Only power matters to them and Mr Kumaraswamy. I think it will have a deep impact on JD(S) in Karnataka. It will be the end of JD(S) in Karnataka," he said.
Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar, meanwhile, said: "If he (HD Kumaraswamy) is really interested in fighting against the BJP, we will discuss it on the agenda."
'Who Are these 30 Parties?': Congress Targets NDA Meet
Taking a jibe at the NDA meeting scheduled for 18 July, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the need of the "show of strength by the BJP."
"They have said in the past that their one party alone is enough to take on the Opposition. What is the need to gather 30 parties then? Can they tell the names of these 30 parties. Are they registered with the Election Commission or any outfits are being called just like that?" he said.
"Those who are with us have always been with us. They have worked with us both inside and outside the Parliament. All of the have now come to Bengaluru. They are scared looking at us. They are now gathering all those parties who had factionalised and trying to show a bigger number," he added.
Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said: "PM Modi and the BJP are baffled. After the Patna meeting, the PM suddenly thought of NDA. Attempts are being made to breathe new life into NDA. Suddenly, it was reported that NDA meeting has been called for tomorrow. This is a result of the meeting in Patna," he said.
'Preparations Underway for 2024': Tej Pratap Yadav
RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav said that the meeting in Bengaluru will be a successful start to the preparations for 2024.
"All preparations are in place for 2024 and 2025 (Bihar election). The Mahagathbandhan is fully intact. The beginning is from Bihar and the meeting will be successful," he said.
'Incorrect to Link Ordinance Issue to Oppn Meet': Congress' Pawan Khera
Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the message from the Opposition meeting for the people that all parties are here to raise their issues.
"The people should not worry. We are uniting and leaving behind our interests to raise people's issues, be it small businesses, women, youth, housewives, the China border issues, or the GST. This is a new brand of politics to save the Constitution," he told news agency ANI.
Commenting on the Delhi ordinance, he said that the Congress' opposition to it has nothing to do with the Opposition meet.
"Opposing Delhi ordinance has nothing to do with the Opposition meeting. The Congress has always stood up to protect the constitutional structure and we have always raised our voices against the misuse of Governors and deputy governors by the BJP government. Linking this with the Opposition meeting is incorrect," he said.
'Zero added to Zero...': Basavaraj Bommai on Oppn Meet
Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai took a jibe at the Opposition meet to say that
"They are calling it a 'Mahagadhbandhan' but actually there is no 'Bandhan' here. Their sole aim is to bring down PM Modi, which is impossible. When zero is added to zero, it is zero," he said.
'NDA Meet Signifies BJP's Fear': AAP's Raghav Chadha
AAP MP Raghav Chadha said that the NDA meet scheduled for 18 July shows the BJP's fear.
"The BJP is now scared seeing the Opposition unity. The developments of tomorrow (the NDA meet) show that PM Modi will not return to power in 2024. The Opposition parties and the people of the country have made up their minds," he told news agency ANI.
"Sharad Pawar will be attending the meeting tomorrow. Today, Maharashtra's monsoon session is beginning and he has a meeting with his MLAs," he added.
'Together, We Will Chart a New Course': RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhary
Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary, who skipped the Patna meet and will attend the second leg in Bengaluru, said that the Opposition needs to reach out to the people who the government has failed to reach out to.
"Bengaluru is a little far from Delhi but we all have to find our way back to Delhi. The entire Opposition needs to work together and forge a path to Delhi for the common citizens of India for whom this government has failed to provide essential services to. We need to reach out to those people," he said.
"Together we will chart a new course. I am very hopeful & positive. I was not able to attend the last meeting in Patna. So, this is my first interaction at this stage and I'll listen to what other leaders have to say," he added.
MK Stalin Arrives in Bengaluru
Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief MK Stalin arrived in Bengaluru for the joint Opposition meeting along with MP TR Baalu.
Arvind Kejriwal Thanks Congress
Taking to Twitter, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal thanked the Congress for "standing by the people of Delhi."
"Thank you (Mallikarjun) Kharge ji for standing with the people of Delhi. This ordinance is anti-India and anti-national and ought to be fought tooth and nail," he said.
'Necessary to Topple the Modi Govt': Sitaram Yechury
Speaking to news agency ANI, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the democratic fabric of the country is under attack by the Modi government.
"This is the second meeting. All political parties have come together to save and strengthen the democratic fabric of our country. The fabric is under attack by the Modi government. It is necessary to topple the Modi government and we are here to strategise for it," he said.
'2/3rd of the Population Is Going To Defeat BJP': Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief, while talking to media said:
"2/3rd of the population is going to defeat BJP. I hope that the people of the country will give BJP a massive defeat. I would also like to congratulate the people of Karnataka who defeated BJP. Similarly, I am receiving inputs from all corners of the country that the BJP will be wiped out..."
Mamata, Akhilesh, Uddhav Thackeray Arrive in Bengaluru
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray arrive in Bengaluru for the opposition meeting.
Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh Arrive in Bengaluru
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP MP Sanjay Singh arrived in Bengaluru for the joint Opposition meeting.
'Hope Something Substantial Comes Out': Omar Abdullah
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah arrived in Bengaluru for the joint Opposition meeting.
"This is the second meeting. I hope something more substantial will be done in this meeting, as the earlier meeting which was held in Patna was just the normal one," he said.
Opposition Dinner Meeting to Begin Shortly
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah arrived at the venue of Opposition dinner meeting in Bengaluru.
Lalu, Tejashwi Yadav Arrive at Dinner Venue
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah received RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav at the venue of Opposition dinner meeting in Bengaluru.
(Photo: Video screengrab)
AAP Leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Raghav Chadha Arrive at Dinner Venue
AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Raghav Chadha, and Sanjay Singh arrived at the venue of Opposition dinner meeting in Bengaluru.
Nitish Kumar Arrives at Venue
JD(U) leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar arrived for Opposition meeting in Bengaluru.
(Photo: Video screengrab)
Oppn Meet Begins in Bengaluru
The second leg of the Opposition meeting began in Bengaluru on where 26 parties are in attendance.
The second leg of the Opposition meeting began in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July, where 26 parties were in attendance.
The second leg of the Opposition meeting began in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July, where 26 parties were in attendance.
The second leg of the Opposition meeting began in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July, where 26 parties were in attendance.
The second leg of the Opposition meeting began in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July, where 26 parties were in attendance.
Sonia Gandhi Present at Opposition Meet
After skipping the first meet in Patna, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is attending the meeting in Bengaluru today.
Sonia Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee at the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge at the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge at the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sitaram Yechury at the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, 17 July.
Opposition Meeting Concludes
The first day of the second leg of the Opposition meeting concluded in Bengaluru where 26 parties were in attendance.
'Well Begun is Half Done': Mallikarjun Kharge as Talks Conclude
Taking to Twitter after the conclusion of the first day of talks in Bengaluru, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that all parties will work to "foster an agenda of social justice, inclusive development and national welfare."
"We want to free the people of India from the autocratic and anti-people politics of hate, division, economic inequality and loot. We want an India which is governed by Constitutional principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. We want an India which provides hope and faith to the weakest person. United We Stand, for this INDIA," he said.
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Published: 17 Jul 2023,11:14 AM IST