On Saturday, the Congress party dismissed suggestions that the INDIA bloc, an opposition alliance, is disintegrating, despite reported efforts by the BJP to create "mini-implosions" within the alliance. The comments were made in response to speculation that Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar might rejoin the BJP-led NDA.
Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, stated in a press conference that party chief Mallikarjun Kharge is attempting to contact Nitish Kumar, but they have not been able to connect yet. Ramesh mentioned that Kharge has reached out to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and has written to her.
Expressing optimism, Ramesh stated, “I am hopeful that Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar, being co-architects of the opposition alliance, will continue to be part of the INDIA bloc.”
Mamata Banerjee had earlier announced that her party, TMC, would contest the Lok Sabha elections independently in West Bengal. If Nitish Kumar decides to return to the NDA, it would represent a significant setback for the opposition united front.
Nitish Kumar had formed an alliance with the RJD in August 2022 after parting ways with the BJP. As the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, Kumar played a crucial role in bringing together various parties to form the opposition bloc INDIA with the goal of countering the BJP.
(With Agency Inputs)
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