Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced that he will attend a meeting of non-BJP parties in Patna on June 23. The meeting has been convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and is aimed at strengthening parties opposed to the saffron party. Stalin made this announcement while inaugurating the Kalaignar Kottam, a building built as part of the birth centenary celebrations of late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. The inauguration was held in the presence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Nitish Kumar could not attend the function as he was indisposed.
In his speech, Stalin said that he would attend the meeting as Kalaignar’s Thalapathy (general) to save India’s democracy. Nitish Kumar had expressed regrets over his absence and had called Stalin to convey his message. Tejashwi Yadav, who is the son of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad, also participated in the event. He arrived in Tiruchirappalli by a special flight and later flew in a helicopter to reach Tiruvarur, where the inauguration was held. He was received by Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
The meeting of non-BJP parties is expected to focus on the selection of a joint candidate for the upcoming presidential election. This move is seen as an attempt to field a candidate who can challenge the saffron party’s nominee. The meeting is also aimed at bringing together opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
