Sonia likely to call Opposition parties' meeting on August 11

With the reported cross-voting in the recent Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections, the opposition unity is in a disarray. Congress President Sonia Gandhi is likely to call an all opposition party meeting on August 11, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would also be present.

Sources said, Banerjee would reach the national capital on the eve of the meeting. However, the time for the meeting has not been finalized as yet. The TMC sources claimed that aiming to discuss the political strategy further, Gandhi has called the meeting and sought for Banerjee's participation.

The TMC chief has always been vocal against the incumbent Modi-BJP government and its alleged communal politics. Even last year, she held a public meeting here at the Jantar Mantar. Thus, her presence would hold political significance.

The recent political development in Bihar has also put the opposition unity in a disarray. Bihar Chief Minister and once Grand Alliance partner Nitish Kumar ditched RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and turned to BJP and formed the state government for the sixth time. Thus boosting up the unity among non-NDA parties and countering BJP's alleged vote consolidating policy are also prime focus of the Congress President Sonia Gandhi now, ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Apart from TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, BSP chief Mayawati, SP senior leader and the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Singh Yadav, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik have also been asked to come under the same umbrella to fight against Modi-government.

However, NCP has reportedly extended its support to BJP in the Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls. On the other hand, even after supporting Gopal Krishna Gandhi, opposition's Vice Presidential candidate in the recent poll, sources said some BJD MPs voted for NDA candidate M Venkaiah Naidu along with JD-U MPs. Meanwhile, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has confirmed his presence and he would also hold a mega rally in Patna on 28th of this month, where senior non NDA leaders would take part.