'Speak in united voice': NDA leaders discuss plan in key meet to counter Congress' Ambedkar attack

NEW DELHI: The leaders of ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including Union home minister Amit Shah and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu met at BJP chief JP Nadda's residence on Wednesday in Delhi in a key meeting.

According to PTI sources, the NDA leaders discussed ways to counter Congress' recent attack over Amit Shah's Ambedkar remark. The emphasis was on a united voice to counter Congress' "fake narrative".

Shah and Nadda said the ruling alliance's focus should remain on good governance and people's welfare, which have brought it support from the masses, they added.

The meeting was attended by prominent NDA leaders, including Shah, Naidu, JD(U) leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president and Union minister Anupriya Patel, and JD(S) leader and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy. With the NDA implementing a structured mechanism to enhance coordination, members agreed to continue consultations on key issues, with ministers and senior leaders engaging regularly with MPs.

Other attendees included Bihar’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, also a minister in the Modi government, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, and Thushar Vellappally, president of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena.

Although the agenda was not officially disclosed, sources indicated discussions revolved around good governance and political strategies. Good governance, a hallmark of the Vajpayee government, was highlighted as a central theme. It was decided to hold a future alliance meeting on Vajpayee’s birth anniversary, honoring his legacy of successfully running India’s first full-term coalition government.

"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," BJP president J P Nadda said in a post on X after the meeting.

He further added, "The NDA government remains steadfast in its pursuit of the vision of 'Viksit Bharat@2047,' ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all."

Uttar Pradesh’s NISHAD Party chief Sanjay Nishad described it as an “informal” meeting held on Vajpayee’s birth centenary.

“Our future strategy is to move forward together. We have to show unity in all the upcoming elections. Everyone congratulated BJP leaders for the recent victories in the Haryana and Maharashtra assembly polls,” he told reporters.

The meeting also addressed coalition strategies to ensure that Prime Minister Modi’s achievements reach grassroots levels and election promises are fulfilled. Nishad raised the issue of granting reservation to the fishing community, presenting a 30-37 page document as evidence. “This was a poll promise. We will be called for further discussions in a week,” he stated.

When asked about Shah’s recent remarks on Ambedkar, Nishad dismissed opposition criticism, emphasizing a focus on public welfare. “Our energy should be spent on achieving success for the people. There’s no need to respond to their narrative and negativity,” he remarked, alluding to Congress and opposition parties' objections.

The NDA meeting also underscored its commitment to the idea of simultaneous elections, with all constituents supporting the proposal. A Joint Parliamentary Committee, formed to review two bills related to simultaneous polls, is scheduled to meet on January 8.
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