Patna, the capital city of Bihar, is abuzz with political activity as the Opposition gears up for a crucial meeting ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The headquarters of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), usually bustling with activity, was surprisingly quiet a day before the meeting, with only a few individuals loitering on the premises. This prompted a private security guard to remark that no significant leaders had turned up yet, referring to those present as “small-time politicians.”
In contrast, the office of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), located across the road, was receiving visitors, primarily party workers from different parts of Bihar and local media reporters. A few kilometers away, Sadaqat Ashram, the state headquarters of the Congress, was adorned and prepared to welcome Rahul Gandhi, who is scheduled to address party workers ahead of the Opposition meeting.
The political landscape of Patna is currently witnessing a poster war, as various parties seek to showcase their unity. Hoardings announcing the Opposition meeting feature photographs of participating leaders, including Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee (Trinamool Congress), M.K. Stalin (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), Arvind Kejriwal (Aam Aadmi Party), and Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M). The Congress has put up several posters featuring Rahul Gandhi, showing him blowing kisses and donning his Bharat Jodo Yatra attire.
Notably, the BJP has also joined the poster war, with one of their displays outside their Patna office labeling the participants as the “Thugs of India.” Another poster takes a dig at Nitish Kumar, highlighting his political somersaults and reminding him of his previous assertion that he would never align with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. However, the Opposition leaders appear undeterred by these attempts.
JD(U) spokesperson K.C. Tyagi dismissed the BJP’s posters, stating that the language used was absurd and a sign of the BJP’s nervousness. He pointed out that many leaders labeled as “thugs” had been associated with the BJP at some point, including Mamata Banerjee, Mehbooba Mufti (Peoples Democratic Party chief), and even the JD(U) itself.
While most Opposition leaders remained tight-lipped about the meeting’s focus, sources within the participating parties revealed that the discussion would center around identifying common issues that can unite the Opposition, rather than focusing on seat-sharing arrangements.
The upcoming Opposition meeting, to be chaired by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has generated significant interest in Patna’s political circles. As the participants gather to deliberate on crucial matters, the city is witnessing a display of contrasting political fervor and spirited exchanges through the poster war, reflecting the high stakes involved in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.