Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls and amid discussions on Opposition unity , the Congress mentioned a clear cut message to the regional parties, expressing it’s willingness to work with like-minded parties and forge a viable alternative with them to take on the BJP but where the Congress led alliance. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, setting the frame and ground for the announcement in his speech, said Congress is the only party which can confront BJP and also provide capable and efficient leadership like during 2004-14. A draft political resolution being discussed at the Congress 85th plenary session said the Congress should go all out to recognize mobilise and align with like-minded secular and socialist forces who agree to its thinking in terms of ideology, pondering that emergence of any third force will provide advantage to the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance(NDA).