The day after the election results, leaders from both the NDA and INDIA alliances are heading to Delhi for crucial discussions on the way forward.
In a notable development, Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav were spotted on the same flight to Delhi.
Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which resulted in no absolute majority for the BJP, both the NDA and INDIA alliances are set to hold key meetings today. Sources indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be sworn in for his third term on Saturday.
The BJP-led NDA secured 294 seats in the 543-member Parliament, surpassing the majority mark of 272 by 22 seats. The INDIA Opposition bloc finished with 234 seats, falling 38 short of the majority. The pivotal role of two NDA allies, TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu and JDU’s Nitish Kumar, is now evident. While they contested the general election in alliance with the BJP, Indian leaders are reportedly attempting to persuade these seasoned coalition veterans to join the Opposition bloc. To achieve a majority, INDIA needs the support of both JDU and TDP, along with several unaligned MPs.
The day after the results, leaders from both the NDA and INDIA alliances are flying to Delhi for strategic discussions. Interestingly, Nitish Kumar, known for his political flexibility, was on the same flight as RJD leader and INDIA ally Tejashwi Yadav. Visuals from the flight show Yadav initially seated behind Kumar, and later, another image showed them sitting next to each other, sparking widespread speculation.
Despite the speculation, Nitish Kumar’s close aide and JDU leader KC Tyagi told ANI that the party will remain with the NDA, dismissing any rumors of a switch to the INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the NDA’s success in Andhra Pradesh, affirming that TDP and BJP will work together to rebuild the state.
However, it’s important to remember that both Kumar and Naidu have been critical of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP in the past. Notably, Nitish Kumar previously led efforts to form an Opposition front against the BJP before his last-minute realignment.
