What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Nitish Kumar is on his stated mission to bring regional satraps together against PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar held meetings with former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on a day when the Supreme Court ruled that the state government, formed after a coup by Thackeray aide Eknath Shinde, was “illegal”.
The meetings are part of his ongoing efforts to forge a formidable opposition alliance against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
In recent past, Kumar has held with prominent opposition figures such as West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Odisha strongman Naveen Patnaik, Telangana’s KCR, and former Uttar Pradesh CM & Samajwadi party president Akhilesh Yadav to persuade them to join the proposed coalition.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday declined to remove the government formed by Eknath Shinde following a coup but deemed the current regime in Maharashtra “illegal.”
Seizing the opportunity to strengthen their unity, Kumar expressed solidarity with Thackeray, stating, “The court’s verdict rectifies the significant injustice done to Uddhav Thackeray. We stand united.”
During his visit, Nitish Kumar, accompanied by his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, held a crucial meeting with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Thackeray at his residence Matoshree.
Kumar also paid a visit to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who extended his support to his initiative to unite the opposition.
The occasion was marked by hoardings welcoming the Janata Dal (United) leader and Yadav.
On Wednesday, he held a “productive” meeting with Jharkhand CM Soren – the de-facto chief of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) – in Ranchi, followed by a joint press conference where they reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the country’s betterment.
Furthermore, Kumar is said to have planned a major gathering of all opposition leaders in Delhi on May 18, setting the stage for collective action in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, Kumar’s long-standing ally, RCP Singh, joined the BJP in New Delhi. Singh, who had been seen as Kumar’s closest confidant for three decades, launched an attack on the JDU leader, calling him corrupt.
