BJP downplays Oppn's Patna meet, JD(U) says seat-sharing formula later

• The war of words intensifies between the ruling BJP and opposition parties ahead of a crucial opposition meeting in Patna
• Bihar minister Vijay Chaudhary emphasizes that the meeting is the first of many and focuses on discussing how to compete in the upcoming polls
• BJP leaders assert confidence in PM Modi's leadership, claiming that the opposition parties are joining hands out of fear of corruption charges and stating that the people have already decided on Modi's re-election in 2024

The war of words between the ruling BJP at the Center and opposition parties has intensified ahead of a crucial meeting of opposition leaders in Patna on 23 June.

While the BJP and its allies played down the significance of the meeting, calling it opportunistic rather than ideological, the Opposition parties see it as a starting point to mobilize anti-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections.

What the opposition parties said
Amid speculations surrounding the seat-sharing formula discussion, Bihar minister Vijay Chaudhary said tomorrow's meeting will not be the last and such talks may be held later. "It is the first meeting of the opposition, not the last. Tomorrow, all parties will discuss how to compete (in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls). The seat-sharing formula can be derived later," Chaudhary said.

The seat-sharing formula based on the party's performance in the last three elections is likely to be proposed by Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) during the key meeting.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sunil Singh said the opposition will find a way to end the BJP government and soon a government will be formed in Delhi that will be democratic, socialist and respect the constitution. BJP leader Sushil Modi, who was Nitish's deputy in the previous NDA government in Bihar, said that Lalu Prasad Yadav's party does not have a single seat in the Lok Sabha and is challenging the party with 303 seats.

"Bihar will give 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats to PM Modi," said Sushil Modi.

He claimed that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were no longer able to deliver votes and alleged that the opposition parties were shaking hands only out of fear of being jailed on corruption charges. BJP leader Ram Kadam said the internal tussle and "the idea of ​​defeat is evident from the statements of their leaders".

"People have decided that Narendra Modi will become the prime minister again in 2024," Kadam said.

HAM president Santosh Kumar Suman said, “Each (opposition parties) has a different ideology, they are all busy brokering deals but they will not be able to work together. However, we are with NDA.”