Opposition parties did not discuss PM face for 2024 polls: Pawar

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Monday said no discussion took place on the 'prime ministerial post' in the meeting of Opposition parties held in Patna last week ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due next year. There were discussions on issues like inflation, unemployment and 'deliberate attempts' at some places to encourage communal forces, Pawar told reporters in Baramati town in Maharashtra. He also hit out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for its criticism of the opposition meeting.

“Why was the BJP worried about the conclave,” Pawar said, claiming there was lack of ‘political maturity’.

Drawing the battle lines, over 32 leaders of more than a dozen Opposition parties held a crucial meeting in Patna hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday and resolved to take on the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Asked about opponents mocking that ‘19 prime ministerial post aspirants’ came together at the meeting, Pawar said it is a childish statement.

“In the meeting, there was no discussion on the post of prime minister. A discussion took place on issues pertaining to inflation and unemployment.

There was a discussion on deliberate attempts at some places to encourage communal forces and how those who are in power, that is BJP, are trying to create a rift between communities,” he said.