Anurag Kumar
Nitish Kumar met with his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, in Kolkata and Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Monday as he intensified his efforts to coalesce opposition parties against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Kumar, a leader of the Janata Dal (United), and Tejashwa Yadav, the deputy chief minister of Bihar and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), met with Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Banerjee at the state secretariat for nearly an hour to discuss the formation of an opposition coalition.
Later, while speaking to reporters, the chief minister of Bihar praised the work of the Bengal government. “We held discussions. We were also in contact earlier. I used to frequent this location. For several years I was unable to attend. I am thrilled to be here and to meet her. I observed how much progress she has made,” he said.
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Additionally, the JD(U) leader urged all opposition parties to conduct discussions to determine the future road map. “Nothing is being done for India’s development; those in power are only concerned with their own promotion,” he said, presumably referring to the BJP in power at the center.
Banerjee, who also addressed the media, stated that the opposition parties must unify in order to send a strong message to the BJP before the crucial elections next year.
“I suggested to Nitish ji that all parties attempt to convene a meeting in Bihar. First, (to convene) an intimate gathering. Later, we can determine where we will go, where we will not go, the manifesto, etc. “However, we must first send the message that we are united,” she said.
Banerjee also stated that Kumar and Tejashwi’s decision to work together sent a firm message to the BJP. In August of last year, the JD(U) dissolved its alliance with the BJP in order to reestablish the Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance with the RJD and other parties.
A meeting between Congress, JD(U), and RJD leaders in the nation’s capital earlier this month sparked rumors that the BJP will confront a coalition of political adversaries in the 2024 elections. Kumar had also conferred with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi in an effort to unite the opposition. The opposition’s attempt to halt the BJP’s electoral juggernaut was deemed futile by the BJP.
Banerjee has also advocated for opposition unity. Last month, she met with Akhilesh Yadav and Odisha’s chief minister, Naveen Patnaik. She also met with the former chief minister of Karnataka and leader of the Janata Dal (Secular), HD Kumaraswamy.
After meeting with the chief minister of Bengal, Kumar and Yadav immediately traveled to Lucknow to meet with the president of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav.
“I am not in the leadership contest. When everyone comes together there will be a leader. I am attempting to bring them all together. A leader will be chosen by others. Our goal will be to unite the opposition parties, which will benefit the country and be in its best interest, Kumar told reporters in Lucknow.
Akhilesh offered his support to the chief minister of Bihar. Due to the erroneous economic policies of the BJP government, farmers and laborers are confronting difficulties. Inflation and unemployment have risen. “We are with you (Nitish Kumar) to remove the BJP from power in order to save the nation,” he said.
In both Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, BJP leaders asserted that the opposition parties’ efforts would be fruitless.
“Such endeavors were made in 2014 and 2019, and the outcomes are before us. These are fruitless endeavors that will yield no results. People have faith in the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya.
Deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya stated, “No matter who meets whom, the land of Lord Ram with 80 Lok Sabha seats and the land of Goddess Sita with 40 Lok Sabha seats will ensure that the BJP wins all 120 Lok Sabha seats, as people realize that all of these alliances are opportunistic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tirelessly worked for the poor and draws courage and blessings from them.”
