‘I want BJP to become zero...’: Mamata Banerjee
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee met in Kolkata on April 24 with the aim of uniting opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. During the meeting, CM Kumar was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. The primary objective was to create a united front to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party in the upcoming elections.
Following the meeting, the leaders held a press conference and stated that the discussions were positive.
CM Banerjee criticized the BJP and expressed her desire to see the party lose the 2024 elections, asserting that the opposition parties are united and "want to work together collectively."
"We will go ahead together. We have no personal ego, we want to work together collectively. I have made just one request to Nitish Kumar. Jayaprakash (Narayan ) ji's movement started from Bihar,"Mamata said.If we have an all-party meeting in Bihar, we can decide where to go next. But first of all, we must convey that we are united. I have said earlier too that I have no objections. I want BJP to become zero. They have become a big hero with media's support and lies," CM Mamata said.
#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "...If we have an all-party meeting in Bihar, we can then decide where we have to go next. But first of all, we have to give a message that we are united. I want BJP to become zero. They have become a big hero with media's support and… pic.twitter.com/VypdTKuR8O
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2023
Nitish Kumar, who is constantly trying to unite the opposition parties ahead of the upcoming elections, said the steps will be taken in nation’s interest.
, "We have held talks, especially about the coming together of all parties and making all preparations ahead of the upcoming Parliament elections. Whatever will be done next, will be done in the nation's interest. Those who are ruling now, have nothing to do. They are just doing their own publicity. Nothing is being done for the nation's development," he said.
Bihar Chief Minister will also meet with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday evening.
Earlier on April 12, Nitish Kumar had met with Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and former MP Rahul Gandhi in the national capital.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said it was a "historic step" towards Opposition unity and for an "ideological fight".Rahul Gandhi, who posted a picture of himself with Kharge and JDU and RJD leaders, said they are "standing together, will fight together for India".
"In this battle of ideology, a historic step has been taken today towards Opposition unity. (We are) standing together, will fight together - for India!" Rahul Gandhi had said in a tweet after the meeting with the Bihar chief minister.
CM Mamata Banerjee is also leaving no stone unturned in closing in ranks with other parties ahead of the 2024 polls, as she met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav at her residence in Kolkata last month.
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First published: 24 April 2023, 18:03 IST