In a significant development for opposition politics, Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, met with his Odisha counterpart, Naveen Patnaik, on Sunday, May 7. The meeting has sparked speculation that Nitish Kumar is emerging as a unifying force among opposition parties, and that he may be instrumental in creating a united opposition front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Following the meeting, the Janata Dal United (JDU), the party led by Nitish Kumar, tweeted that “Nitish Kumar leading Opposition unity” and that the meeting with Patnaik was an important step in this direction. The tweet also suggested that the two leaders had discussed “the current political situation” and “the challenges facing the nation.”
While the details of the meeting are yet to be made public, sources say that Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik discussed a range of issues, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their respective states and the need for a coordinated response. They are also believed to have discussed the ongoing farmers’ protests, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and other issues of national importance.
The meeting has been seen as significant given the strained relationship between Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power at the centre. While Nitish Kumar’s JDU is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), there have been reports of growing tensions between the two parties. The meeting with Naveen Patnaik is being seen as a signal that Nitish Kumar may be looking to build bridges with other opposition parties.
The meeting has also sparked speculation about the possibility of a new political alliance being formed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With the BJP currently in power at the centre and in many states, opposition parties have been struggling to find a way to unite against the ruling party. The meeting between Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik is being seen as a positive step in this direction.