Congress has 'unique position' in Opposition ranks, leader of anti-BJP bloc will emerge in due course: Chidambaram

Opposition parties uniting to challenge BJP in 2024 LS polls; leader of anti-BJP bloc to emerge in due course. Chidambaram exudes confidence that united Opposition can challenge PM Modi in 2024 LS polls.

Ahead of the crucial Bengaluru meeting, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on July 16 exuded confidence that the Opposition, by staying united, can certainly challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and asserted that the leader of the anti-BJP bloc will emerge in "due course".

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In an interview with PTI, Mr. Chidambaram said the Congress has a "unique position" in the ranks of the opposition parties but there was "no need to talk about it now".

The former Union Minister also said that the manner in which the AAP formulated and posed the Delhi ordinance issue at the Patna meeting of the opposition parties was "unfortunate".

Each issue will be decided on its own merits and at the appropriate time and place, he said.

Mr. Chidambaram stressed that the Opposition parties have several objectives in common as they are opposed to the social and economic policies of the BJP government, are concerned about slow economic growth, high inflation and rising unemployment, as well as about the "curtailment of civil liberties, the gagging of the media, the emasculation of institutions, and the misuse of investigating agencies".

"They are concerned about the security situation on the borders. These common concerns have brought them together to oppose the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There is enough justification for the Opposition parties to meet as often as possible in the run up to the elections," he said.