Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, June 15: Efforts by diverse figures to put up a front to take on the ruling BJP in polls ahead, including the 2024 national election, were severely challenged today at a large gathering held by Mamata Banerjee to develop a common strategy for the Presidential election next month.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which had forged a relationship with Mamata Banerjee over their shared goal of defeating the BJP, opted out of the meeting this morning, voicing strong opposition to the Congress being invited. According to insiders, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would be another notable absentee.
The party claimed that the Congress had been invited despite its protests and attacked Rahul Gandhi, the party’s leader. “Rahul Gandhi had assailed the TRS administration in a recent public gathering in Telangana without any word of criticism against the BJP,” the statement added, accusing the Congress of “ganging up with the BJP” in Telangana, particularly in recent by-elections.
Notably on July 18, presidential elections will be held, and the results will be announced on July 21.
Mamata Banerjee has convened a conference in Delhi with 22 political groups to establish a united front against the BJP and its allies in the upcoming election for a new President of India. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with NCP leader Sharad Pawar at his residence shortly after landing in Delhi, amid rumours that he could be the opposition’s candidate for the top job.
Sharad Pawar is said to have turned down the offer. According to his party, the veteran is hesitant to wage a lost struggle because he believes the opposition will lack the numbers to support its nominee for the presidency.
