Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has echoed the concerns expressed by Mamata Banerjee, indicating that the Lok Sabha elections might be advanced. The move comes amidst growing fears within the BJP that delaying the elections could lead to more significant losses due to the consolidation of opposition forces.
Mr. Nitish Kumar emphasized the need for opposition parties to unite to counter the BJP’s electoral prospects. He stated, “I have been saying it for the last seven-eight months that the NDA government at the Centre might go for early Lok Sabha polls, fearing more loss to the BJP because of opposition unity.
He further highlighted his commitment to facilitating the convergence of opposition parties against the ruling party, stating, “Therefore, all opposition parties must come together to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. I am once again repeating that I have no desire for myself, I have no personal ambitions. My only wish is to unite the maximum number of parties (opposed to the BJP) before the elections.
Regarding the ongoing efforts to forge opposition unity, Mr. Kumar revealed that steps had already been taken to foster cooperation among various parties. He anticipated that the opposition coalition “INDIA” would gain further strength following a pivotal meeting scheduled in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came as he inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda Open University. On a different note, he shared insights into the recent completion of a comprehensive caste survey. Once published, this data is expected to guide developmental initiatives and policies aimed at addressing the needs of various marginalized sections of society. Mr. Kumar expressed his belief that other states would follow suit once the detailed data was available.
Highlighting the unanimous decision behind the caste-based survey, Mr. Kumar noted that the initiative had garnered support from leaders across the political spectrum, including those from the BJP. Expressing concern over the delay in the census, he questioned the central government’s silence on the matter and called for clarity on the reasons behind the postponement, citing that the census should have concluded in 2021.
With these statements from Bihar’s Chief Minister, the political landscape in India seems poised for potential shifts as parties strategize in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The specter of opposition unity and the BJP’s response will likely shape the country’s political narrative in the months to come.
