BJP Calls NDA Meeting to Counter Opposition’s Bangalore Meet

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has scheduled a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi on Tuesday, strategically countering the Opposition’s meeting in Bangalore on the same day. This move aims to showcase the ruling coalition’s substantial support base. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the meeting, along with leaders from 19 parties, including those heading dynastic outfits such as Chirag Paswan, Om Prakash Rajbhar, and Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Previously, the BJP relied primarily on the appeal of “brand Modi” to win elections, paying little attention to regional and sub-regional parties. However, with the Opposition forming alliances for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP seems to be displaying signs of concern. This NDA meeting, on such a significant scale, is being held for the first time in Modi’s second term.

Home Minister Amit Shah has been engaging with leaders of these regional outfits to explore their association with the BJP. In recent days, Shah met with Rajbhar, the leader of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party from Uttar Pradesh, and welcomed him back to the NDA. Shah expressed that Rajbhar’s return would strengthen the NDA’s position in the state. Similarly, Shah met with Dara Singh Chouhan, another OBC leader from Uttar Pradesh who had previously aligned with the Samajwadi Party. Chouhan, a sitting Samajwadi MLA, has resigned and is expected to join the BJP.

In Bihar, the BJP is engaging with Chirag Paswan of the LJP (Paswan faction), Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Upendra Kushwaha, who leads the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal. The meeting also includes ruling allies from northeastern states and smaller parties from the southern region. Notably, the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar of the NCP will participate as well.