Try GOLD - Free

Never-before-seen scenes at Oppn meet as unlikely allies join hands

Hindustan Times

|

July 19, 2023

The quote about politics making strange bedfellows is attributed to 19th century American essayist Charles Dudley Warner, but is believed to have its origins in Shakespeare's Tempest (with politics being replaced by misery).

- Sunetra Choudhury

Never-before-seen scenes at Oppn meet as unlikely allies join hands

NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, in Bengaluru, all aspects of the quote played out when 26 parties, some sworn rivals, came together to declare themselves the INDIA alliance.

The day saw several moments that would have been considered impossible just days ago. Some of these were captured on camera; others, happened off it. For instance, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee reserved her warmest reference for former Congress president Rahul Gandhi during her address, terming him "our favourite". Banerjee has always shared a special relationship with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi but she never really seemed to warm up to Rahul Gandhi, and as recently as March, was quoted by a colleague as saying, "They want to make Rahul Gandhi a hero of the Opposition camp."

As some of the leaders present explained, perhaps this was because everyone at the meeting saw the value of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. "I think everyone was positive and appreciative of RG. Nothing unexpected, really," said Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary.

MORE STORIES FROM Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

If you want jobs, elect us: Tejashwi to voters

Top INDIA bloc leaders, including RJD leader and opposition grouping’s chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on Monday held multiple poll rallies in Bihar and intensified their attack on the ruling NDA, a day before the campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar assembly polls ends.

time to read

2 mins

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

‘Audio clips linked to ex-Manipur CM tampered’

The National Forensic Science Laboratory (NFSL), which was asked to examine the audio tapes that alleged former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh's role in instigating the 2023 ethnic violence in the state, has told the Supreme Court that the clips were “tampered with”.

time to read

1 mins

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

Prez addresses U’khand assembly

President Droupadi Murmu while addressing a special session of the Uttarakhand assembly in Dehradun to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the formation of the state on Monday, said Uttarakhand must move forward on the path of development while preserving the gifts of nature.

time to read

1 min

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

Darshan charged with murder, kidnapping in Renukaswamy case

A Bengaluru sessions court on Monday framed charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, and kidnapping against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his associate Pavitra Gowda, and 15 others in connection with the killing of the actor's fan Renukaswamy. All 17 accused pleaded not guilty.

time to read

1 min

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

VB FIR AGAINST DIG TO ‘FRUSTRATE’ CBI PROBE, COURT TOLD

The disproportionate assets (DA) case against suspended Punjab DIG, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, has been filed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) to “frustrate” the corruption investigation being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against him, the agency told a Mohali court on Monday.

time to read

1 min

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

13 killed, 10 injured after truck ploughs into vehicles in Jaipur

THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND HAS BEEN ARRESTED, POLICE SAID

time to read

2 mins

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

INDIA, BAHRAIN EXPLORE WAYS TO EXPAND TRADE

India and Bahrain on Monday discussed ways to expand and diversify two-way trade, including negotiations to conclude a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) and a bilateral investment treaty.

time to read

1 min

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

No ‘good’ air days in 2 years

Delhi has recorded only 14 good air days from 2015 onwards

time to read

3 mins

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

Where creativity took centrestage

0n Friday night in the Capital, stalwarts from across business, art, culture, fashion and food gathered to explore the nexus of markets, innovation, and intellectual property at IPFeast 4.0 Legends.

time to read

1 min

November 04, 2025

Hindustan Times

No 'good' air days for Delhi in over 2 years as baseline emissions rise

As Delhi remained shrouded under the usual November haze, an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that the city has not recorded a 'good' air day, defined as an air quality index (AQI) of 50 or less, in over two years.

time to read

1 min

November 04, 2025

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size