MUMBAI: In a significant statement, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar clarified on Monday that the meeting of Opposition parties held in Patna last week did not involve any discussion regarding the prime ministerial post. This clarification came in response to BJP's criticism, labeling the participants as "19 prime ministerial post aspirants." Pawar dismissed this criticism as a "childish statement."
During the meeting, the focus was on discussing issues related to inflation, unemployment, and deliberate attempts to fuel communal tensions. Pawar pointed to the detrimental effects of dividing communities based on religion and caste and highlighted the need to address and control such situations.
The meeting in Patna brought together over 32 leaders from various Opposition parties, with the aim of uniting against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They pledged to fight the elections with a common agenda and a flexible approach, setting aside their differences and emphasising state-wise strategies.
Pawar also criticised the BJP for its response to the Opposition meeting, questioning their concerns and accusing them of lacking "political maturity."
