New Delhi/IBNS: Veteran Maharashtra politician and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday amid efforts of opposition unity ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Pawar, whose party recently lost the national party status, met the Congress leaders at Kharge's home in Delhi.

According to reports, the leaders met to discuss strategies to unify the opposition.

"We are united," Rahul Gandhi told reporters emerging from the meeting.

Speaking to the media, Kharge said, "I am glad Sharad Pawar came to visit us from Mumbai and guide us. Yesterday, me and Rahul Gandhi had a conversation with Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav that we will keep the opposition united in the country."

"The incidents that are happening in the country today... to save the country, to save democracy, to protect the constitution and freedom of speech... misuse of government agencies, on issues like inflation for employment of youth, we are ready to fight as one," he added.

The meeting comes a day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav met Kharge and Gandhi amid talks of some opposition parties teaming up on a common platform to take on the BJP next year.

Efforts towards opposition unity have appeared to gather pace this week, with Nitish Kumar also meeting Left veterans Sitaram Yechury and D Raja on Thursday.