Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) met at Bharatiya Janata Party president J.P. Nadda's residence in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the prevailing political situation, especially the opposition onslaught on the government over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on B.R. Ambedkar.
Shah and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu were among those who attended the meeting held on the birth centenary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
It was not immediately clear what transpired at the meeting. However, quoting sources, the Indian Express reported that the leaders had discussed the opposition’s attack on the BJP over Shah’s remarks, the caste census, and social justice politics.
The opposition, led by the Congress, has launched a massive campaign and protests demanding the home minister’s resignation, terming his remarks as an "insult" to the Constitution framer.
News agency PTI quoted sources as saying that good governance—a key theme of the Vajpayee government—and other political issues were also discussed at the meeting.
JD-U leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president and Union minister Anupriya Patel, as well as JD (S) leader and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were present at the meeting.
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Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena president Thushar Vellappally were also among the attendees.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde were absent from the meeting.
"Attended the NDA leaders' meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower," Nadda wrote on X after the meeting.
"The NDA government remains steadfast in its pursuit of the vision of 'Viksit Bharat@2047', ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all," he added.