The opposition parties are meeting in Bengaluru to discuss their strategy for taking on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prepares for a massive show of strength in New Delhi today.

38 parties have reportedly confirmed their attendance for the BJP conference, according to J P Nadda, the party’s president.

After losing several of its longtime allies, like the Akali Dal, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), the BJP has been attempting to forge new coalitions in recent months.

In order to reorganise the NDA in front of the 2024 elections, the party will host both its new and old allies.

New allies will be present at the conference, including NCP’s Ajit Pawar, who joined the coalition following an unexpected uprising against his uncle Sharad Pawar. Chirag Paswan, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is anticipated to take part in the mega-meeting a day after he met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to cement his return to the NDA.

The BJP will probably take advantage of this chance to forge closer ties with regional parties, who have the potential to tip elections in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Upendra Singh Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party, and Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha are the three parties from Bihar that will join the NDA.

Many of the parties that have assisted the BJP in establishing a presence in the seven northeastern states are also anticipated to show up.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will preside over the meeting, has been in office for nine years at the time of the event.

AIADMK, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde Group), JJP (Jannayak Janta Party), Rashtriya Lok Jan Shakti Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, and Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas Paswan) are among the parties that will attend the meeting in addition to the BJP.