Mamata Banerjee expressed her concern on Monday, suggesting that the Lok Sabha elections might take place in December this year or January, as the BJP appeared uneasy about the unity among opposition parties. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar echoed this sentiment on Tuesday, supporting a similar assertion made by Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Nitish Kumar stated that the BJP seemed apprehensive about facing more setbacks due to the growing opposition unity, which could lead to the advancement of the Lok Sabha elections. He emphasized that he had been conveying this notion for several months, indicating that the ruling NDA government at the Centre might opt for early elections to counteract potential losses for the BJP resulting from opposition solidarity.
He emphasized the need for opposition parties to collaborate and defeat the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Nitish Kumar asserted that his personal aspirations were secondary to his goal of uniting a maximum number of anti-BJP parties before the elections. He also hinted at the possibility of more parties joining the opposition coalition named I.N.D.I.A but chose not to reveal further specifics.
Nitish Kumar revealed that efforts had been made to foster unity among opposition parties, with plans to strengthen the I.N.D.I.A coalition following the Mumbai meeting scheduled for August 31 and September 1. Speaking after inaugurating the new campus of Nalanda Open University, he disclosed that the caste-based survey process had been completed, and the compiled data would soon be published.
He explained that the final data from the survey would facilitate targeted development efforts for various sections of society, especially the marginalized. Nitish Kumar stressed the significance of this information for identifying areas in need of development. He expressed confidence that other states would also consider adopting a similar approach once the detailed data was released.
Nitish Kumar highlighted that the decision to conduct the caste-based survey was a unanimous one, taken collectively by leaders from all political parties, including the BJP. He questioned the Centre’s silence regarding the delay in the census and its completion, pointing out that the process should have concluded in 2021. He urged BJP leaders to address this matter and provide clarity on the situation.
