The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to hold a crucial meeting in Delhi, with 38 parties expected to participate on Tuesday. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to demonstrate its growing strength, especially with the inclusion of new allies like the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), O P Rajbhar-led SBSP, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular).

The entry of the Lok Janshakti Party into the NDA was confirmed after its leader, Chirag Paswan, met with BJP President J P Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday. Nadda warmly welcomed Paswan into the NDA fold, adding to the coalition’s expansion.

The meeting will also see participation from other parties like Shiv Sena, NCP, Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD), and Jana Sena, who are either new entrants or have had previous partnerships with the BJP. Among the attendees will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders of the ruling party.

For the BJP, the NDA meeting is an opportunity to showcase its credentials as a leading coalition partner ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With the party having lost some traditional allies, it has made efforts to build alliances with regional parties to strengthen its position.

In contrast, the Opposition is gearing up for its crucial deliberations in Bengaluru, expressing unity and determination to challenge the ruling party. Congress has asserted that the Opposition’s unity will be a game-changer in the Indian political landscape. However, the BJP has been working to weaken the opposition bloc in key states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

As the political landscape unfolds, both the ruling and opposition parties are strategizing to secure the crucial support of regional parties that can significantly impact the electoral outcome in certain states.

Source: PTI