Opposition parties have begun strategizing for the post-verdict scenario and possibilities. A possible meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind will be held to urge him against inviting the single-largest party for government formation in the event of a splintered verdict.
Opposition camp assesses that though the BJP may emerge as the single-largest party it could be well short of numbers and unable to form the government even with the help of present NDA allies.
Both formal and informal discussions among the opposition parties have started. They are waiting for the exit poll results emerge after the last-phase polling on May 19 to get an idea which way the wind is blowing.
Rivals in the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the post-election possibilities. Naidu along with Left and Congress leaders, was also in the Supreme Court on Tuesday to attend the hearing on the VVPAT petition, filed by 21 opposition parties.
TDP chief will also campaign for Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. Meanwhile, senior Left leaders Sitaram Yechury of the CPI (M) and D Raja (CPI) also had a meeting with senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel.
According to the Indian Express, leaders of opposition parties may meet on May 21, two days before the counting. By then, they will have a much clearer picture and the benefit of exit polls to chalk out their strategy.