Opposition meeting merely a “photo session”, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 23 said the joint Opposition meet in Patna was merely a “photo session” and that the parties could never come together on a common platform.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 23 said the joint Opposition meet in Patna was merely a “photo session” and that the parties could never come together on a common platform.

Speaking at a government function to inaugurate a forensic laboratory and other development projects in Jammu, Mr. Shah said people had already decided that the Narendra Modi government would return to power in 2024 with more than 300 seats.

Mr. Shah said the Opposition deliberately chose the day to hold the meeting knowing well that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to the U.S. He said agreements were signed between India and the U.S. in the fields of space, defence and, semiconductors, and that many big companies were eager to invest in India.

Also Read | Congress party’s DNA is in Bihar, says Rahul Gandhi after arriving in Patna for Opposition meet

The Minister said the previous UPA government was involved in “scams” worth ₹12 lakh crore and attacked the National Conference, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Congress, asking who would take responsibility for the death of 42,000 people due to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bharatiya Janata Party president J. P. Nadda said the Opposition huddle was opportunistic and riddled with contradictions.

“I was surprised as all Opposition party leaders are embracing each other and meeting in Patna on June 23. It reminded me of my childhood days as I had my birth and schooling in Patna. It is the same Lalu Prasad Yadav who was sent to jail for 22 months by Indira Gandhi, grandmother of Rahul Gandhi, and it is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was sent to jail for 20 months by Mrs Gandhi,” Mr. Nadda said, addressing a public meeting at Kalahandi in Odisha.