The Opposition today stepped up efforts to stitch an anti-BJP front, with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi holding her first key meeting with the Congress top brass to discuss the post May 23 strategy and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu engaging the wider Opposition in another move.

The Congress wants to keep its strategy ready for May 23, the day Lok Sabha 2019 results will start pouring in. The Congress’ hope is a repeat of 2004 when the party won 145 seats on its own and managed to trump the Atal Behari Vajpayee-led BJP by forming an alliance government. Top Congress leaders are pinning hopes on the large silent undercurrent turning in their favour, in which case the Opposition could have a real chance.

Preliminary discussions on potential exit poll trends and possibilities on May 23 are learnt to have been discussed at a meeting of the Congress core committee held at the residence of  Sonia Gandhi.

Preliminary discussions on potential exit poll trends and possibilities on May 23 are learnt to have been discussed at a meeting of the Congress core committee held at the residence of  Sonia Gandhi.

At another level today, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stepped up engagement with the larger Opposition in bringing the anti- BJP parties on the same page should the numbers go against the ruling BJP.

The TDP chief, who earlier met TMC president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is likely to meet her again and has said he would be happy to work with YSRCP and TRS in the South to keep the BJP at bay.