Oppn may declare its intent for coalition in June 23 meet

The meeting of opposition parties in Patna on June 23 aims to prepare a common ground for a national-level understanding among themselves and make an announcement that they have come together to secure the secular, democratic character of India.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

No breakthrough is expected in the first meeting, which will be more of a warm-up for subsequent rounds of engagement between the political outfits, two leaders who will participate in the meeting said, seeking anonymity.

Efforts are on to make a declaration of intent in the Patna meeting to address two basic questions: Why the opposition parties are keen to join hands to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party and why the meeting in Patna is important, one of them said.