Chennai:  State Chief Minister MK Stalin emphasized the unified stance of opposition parties in their mission to "defeat" the ruling BJP in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He slammed the Enforcement Directorate's recent raids on State Minister K Ponmudi's residence as a mere "distraction" deployed prior to the second unity Opposition meeting. Before departing for Bangalore to attend the meeting, CM Stalin addressed reporters at the Chennai airport.

CM Stalin expressed, "All Opposition parties have joined forces to challenge the BJP-led Central government. Following our initial meeting in Bihar, we have decided to hold the second meeting in Karnataka today and tomorrow." Continuing his statement, CM Stalin affirmed, "The momentum of opposition unity, which began in Bihar last month, will persist during the upcoming gathering in Bengaluru."

In response to the ED raids on State Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi's residence, Stalin stated, "This case was baseless and initiated by the previous Jayalalithaa Government thirteen years ago. The raids conducted by the ED merely demonstrate the BJP's frustration."  He further accused Governor RN Ravi and the ED of engaging in "election propaganda" against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government.

Also, in response to the raising the Cauvery issue (a longstanding dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) at the Bangalore meeting, CM Stalin clarified, "The purpose of this meeting does not include discussing the Cauvery issue."

On Monday, officials from the ED conducted searches at the residence of Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi in Villupuram district. Further details on the matter are yet to be disclosed.

Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh revealed that leaders from 26 parties will be in attendance at the opposition parties' meeting. The opposition parties aim to present a united front against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

An informal meeting of the opposition parties is scheduled for 6 pm on Monday, followed by a dinner at 8 pm.

Key figures in the opposition, including former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, are expected to participate in the crucial opposition meeting in Bangalore.

Confirming their presence, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its attendance at the meeting on Sunday. This decision follows the Congress party's declaration that it will oppose the Centre's ordinance on administrative services in Delhi if a bill is introduced to replace the ordinance in Parliament.

The formal meeting is slated for Tuesday, building upon the foundation laid during the first opposition unity meeting held in Patna last month.

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