After the results of the recent assembly elections of five states, now all eyes are on the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year.
To stop the hat-trick of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Center for two consecutive terms, all the opposition parties have united under an alliance named INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).
However, while BJP has a strong face like Narendra Modi, the Indian alliance has not yet announced on whose face it will contest the elections.
The opposition alliance has prominent faces like Rahul Gandhi, Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal.
Discussion again on Nitish Kumar’s name
Congress is on the back foot after the crushing defeat in the assembly elections. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar’s name has started being discussed again. Janata Dal (United) leaders are demanding that Nitish be made the convenor of the opposition alliance.
Nitish Kumar’s party JD(U) has carefully planned to project him as a prominent national face. Let us tell you that the next meeting of India Alliance will be held between 17th to 20th December.
The issue of seat coordination among the constituent parties will be on the top of its agenda for the next Lok Sabha elections. During this time JDU can put forward Nitish’s name.
Nitish will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and all top opposition leaders within the next 10 day period.
Nitish may have often downplayed his prime ministerial ambitions, but senior JDU leaders keep projecting him as a future prime minister. This is also being considered as a part of political bargaining before the India Block meeting to get Nitish an important post.
“Not placing any conditions”
Speaking to The Indian Express, JD(U) chief national spokesperson KC Tyagi said, “First of all, let us make it clear that we are not putting any conditions before the India Bloc for giving any post to Nitish. But what we have planned is a series of talks outside Bihar. Our UP unit has already invited him to visit Phulpur, Mirzapur and Varanasi. We are planning his visit to UP in January.”
He said that the CM has also received an invitation from Jharkhand. The JDU leader said, “Besides, some caste unions and social groups from Haryana and Maharashtra have invited him.
The Bihar Caste Survey report has received national resonance and Nitish Kumar is already in demand for his socialist and development politics. Nitish will do all these tours after January.”
Do not resort to petty politics – JDU
Asked whether JD(U) is trying to drive a hard bargain with Congress after its poor performance in the recent assembly elections? On this Tyagi said, “We never resort to petty politics. This is the program of JD(U) and if the India faction decides anything, it can be adjusted. Lok Sabha elections are not far away. We have to get our act together”.
Nitish will participate in the Eastern Regional Council meeting on Sunday. Asked about his scheduled participation in it, Tyagi said, “Nitish has already made it clear that he will participate in it as the Chief Minister and will raise the concerns of Bihar with the Union Home Minister.
No political meaning should be taken from this.” Tyagi said the recent assembly elections are a reminder to the opposition to unite quickly, take a decision on seat sharing and announce joint rallies.