As many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences and will meet in Shimla next month to chalk out a joint strategy. Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour meeting during which leaders of these parties expressed their views, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said they will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together. “We had a good meeting and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. Seventeen parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly,” he told reporters. The meeting is viewed as a starting point for Opposition unity ahead of Lok Sabha polls to unitedly take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP. Kumar, who hosted the meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the country’s interest as it was trying to change India’s history. Sources said differences emerged between the AAP and the Congress after Arvind Kejriwal insisted that the grand old party should make its stand public on the Delhi ordinance failing which it would not be possible for his party to attend future meetings of the Opposition. “The black ordinance is anti-constitutional, anti-federalism, and outright undemocratic… Congress’ hesitation and refusal to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress,” the AAP said in a statement