New Delhi: The formation of India’s next government is now in a precarious position, relying heavily on the support of key allies, notably Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) falls short of securing a majority on its own.
In an unexpected twist, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his political rival, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, were spotted traveling together on the same chartered aircraft from Patna to Delhi. This surprising development has fueled speculations that the INDIA bloc might be making strategic moves to woo some NDA allies, potentially leading to an unexpected political realignment.
Upon his arrival in Delhi for the crucial NDA meeting, Nitish Kumar, amidst a throng of reporters, confidently asserted, “Sarkar to banegi hi” (the government will definitely be formed). This statement comes as the NDA scrambles to consolidate support and secure the numbers needed to form a stable government.
Tejashwi Yadav, in Delhi for the INDIA bloc meeting, urged the public to “wait and watch,” hinting at the fluid and unpredictable nature of the current political scenario. Commenting on their shared flight, he remarked, “We greeted each other. Baaki kya hota hai, aage dekhte rahiye” (As for the rest, keep watching to see what happens next).
On Tuesday, JD(U) took to social media to thank Nitish Kumar, highlighting his commitment to their development agenda with the post, “Nyay ke sath vikas ka sankalp ho raha poora” (The resolution for development with justice is being fulfilled).
In Bihar, the political landscape is equally intriguing. Nitish Kumar’s NDA-allied JD(U) has won 12 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats, solidifying its influence in the state. On the other hand, Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD, part of the INDIA bloc, has secured four seats. Additionally, other NDA partners in Bihar, such as Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), have won five and one seats, respectively.
As the political drama unfolds, both the NDA and INDIA blocs are holding key meetings in Delhi to strategize and negotiate the formation of the next government. With the BJP-led NDA securing 294 seats in the 543-member Parliament, just 22 more than the majority mark, the support of allies like TDP and JD(U) becomes crucial. The INDIA Opposition bloc, finishing with 234 seats, also seeks to sway unaligned MPs to tip the balance in their favor.
The coming days will be pivotal as political leaders engage in intense discussions and negotiations. The outcome will determine not only the composition of the new government but also set the tone for India’s political future in the next term.
