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

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

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.