June 12: Can that day become historic in Indian politics?

It is known that more than a dozen Opposition parties are going to meet in Patna on June 12. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is in favour of the date. The meet might get delayed a bit, but it will surely happen this month.

The meet is meant to deliberate upon the strategy to defeat the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress and other parties are hoping that a consensus would be arrived at regarding the strategy to be followed with unity and commitment.

In this regard, former Union Minister and Congress MP P Chidambaram has opined that the non-BJP Opposition parties should agree to field a common candidate in 450 Lok Sabha seats so as to defeat the BJP. "The parties are meeting in Patna on June 12. It is a work in progress. It will happen but it will take some time," he has been quoted as saying by a news agency.

For now, Maharashtra's political heavyweight Sanjay Raut is in agreement with Chidambaram. "The non-BJP parties will take a decision regarding Chidambaram's advice in the meeting called on June 12," he said.

If Chidambaram's suggestion assumes a life of its own, the June 12th meeting will be historic. Critics, however, are laughing at the suggestion. It is nearly impossible to field a common candidate in those many seats, they are saying.