OPP SLOW IN SOUNDING OUT NAIDU AND NITISH

The Opposition INDIA bloc has reconciled to the view that they will sit in the opposition for now, even though PM Modi and the BJP are "subverting the will of the people," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said on Wednesday.

But there was a rider. "The INDIA bloc will continue to resist the fascist rule... We will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time to realise the people's desire not to be ruled by the BJP," he added.

The statement came even as the Opposition leaders began crucial deliberations, exploring the possibilities of government formation, the alliance's future strategy and whether to reach out to former allies Nitish Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu.

The leaders met at Kharge's residence, a day after Lok Sabha election results were declared.

Earlier in the evening, both Nitish and Naidu had attended an NDA meeting at PM Modi's residence and endorsed Modi as the NDA head. The two erstwhile allies also handed over formal letters of support, pouring cold water on the Opposition's hopes.