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Jairam: Nitish Only Talked, Must Act Now for Bihar’s Special Status

July 15, 2024, 2:00 pm

Amid the Janata Dal-United’s push for Special Status for Bihar, Congress on Monday criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, stating that despite his ministers arguing that the latest analysis by Niti Aayog supports their demand for special category status, Kumar has done nothing about it.

They also called on the Bihar Chief Minister to take action, noting that he is now in a position to achieve this goal.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Congress leader Ramesh, who is also the party’s general secretary and communications in-charge, said, “Senior Ministers in Bihar are now arguing that Niti Aayog’s latest analysis vindicates their demand for special category status in the matter of Central assistance to the state. Basically, this would mean that instead of 70 percent of such assistance being a loan, only 10 percent would be.”

“But instead of giving press statements and passing resolutions in party meetings, what is the Bihar Chief Minister doing about this demand? He has talked and talked and talked while doing nothing about it. He is in a position to get it done now. He should strike. The same goes for the Andhra Chief Minister as well,” the Congress leader said.

His remarks came days after the JD-U passed a resolution at its party’s meeting late last month to press for the demand for special category status for Bihar and a special package.

JD-U has been demanding special category status for the state for years and has again put forth its demand to the BJP-led NDA government at the center.

Bihar Bridge Collapses Raise Alarm for Infrastructure Safety

July 4, 2024, 11:51 am

Bihar has been shaken by a spate of bridge collapses over the past 15 days, with nine incidents reported across various districts. The collapses, occurring predominantly in Saran and Siwan districts, have highlighted significant concerns over infrastructure safety and maintenance in the state.

These incidents, involving bridges aged between 25 to 100 years, have been attributed to heavy rainfall and inadequate construction standards. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has responded swiftly by ordering immediate surveys of all old bridges across Bihar. This proactive step aims to assess the structural integrity of existing infrastructure and prioritize repairs to prevent future disasters.

The collapses have sparked political debate, with opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD questioning the government’s preparedness and calling for accountability. The focus is not only on immediate repairs but also on implementing stringent maintenance protocols and ensuring adherence to modern construction standards.

The situation underscores broader issues within India’s infrastructure sector, where aging structures face increasing challenges from climate change and urbanization. It is crucial for Bihar and other states to integrate robust engineering practices with climate-resilient infrastructure planning. This includes regular inspections, timely repairs, and the incorporation of advanced construction techniques to enhance durability and safety.

Moving forward, Bihar’s government must prioritize infrastructure safety as a core component of public welfare. Transparent accountability mechanisms and effective governance will be essential in restoring public confidence and preventing similar incidents in the future.

The recent bridge collapses in Bihar serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure reforms. They present an opportunity for policymakers to rethink strategies, invest in sustainable infrastructure development, and ensure that public safety remains paramount. By learning from these unfortunate incidents, Bihar can pave the way towards a more resilient and secure future for its citizens.

Infrastructure Failures in Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav Criticizes Government

June 29, 2024, 11:56 am

Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has sharply criticized the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar following the collapse of the fifth bridge within nine days. This incident, occurring on the Bhootahi River between Madhubani and Supaul, has heightened concerns about infrastructure standards amidst heavy rains impacting Nepal’s catchment areas.

Yadav’s criticism reflects broader anxieties over public safety and infrastructure reliability under the current administration. He pointedly highlighted systemic failures, emphasizing the need for stringent oversight and accountability in construction projects across Bihar. The collapse has prompted swift action from the district administration, initiating an investigation and demanding a comprehensive report. The contractor responsible has been urged to expedite repairs to restore connectivity in the affected region, underscoring the immediate repercussions of such failures on local communities.

Series of incidents

This bridge collapse is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern of infrastructure failures in Bihar. In the preceding week alone, similar collapses were reported in Araria, Siwan, and East Champaran districts, exacerbating challenges already posed by seasonal monsoon rains and riverine flooding. The collapse in Kishanganj, which isolated thousands due to floodwaters, particularly highlighted vulnerabilities in the state’s infrastructure network.

Earlier incidents in West Champaran and Siwan in June further underscored deficiencies in construction practices and regulatory oversight, amplifying calls for improved infrastructure management and enhanced accountability measures. These incidents have galvanized public discourse on the need for Bihar to adopt more robust infrastructure planning and execution strategies to mitigate risks and ensure long-term community safety.

As Bihar confronts these challenges, the focus remains on implementing rigorous quality control measures and proactive governmental interventions. The overarching goal is to safeguard public infrastructure against natural disasters and unforeseen emergencies, reaffirming the imperative for sustainable development practices and resilient infrastructure frameworks across the state.

Bhojpur Tragedy: Four Feared Drowned On Ganga Dussehra

June 17, 2024, 12:37 pm

In Bhojpur, four friends from Bara Kharauni village went to Shivpur ghat for a holy dip. They are also feared drowned. Same incident happened in Patna/Ara, at least eight people, including four from the same family, are drowned Ganga Dussehra on Sunday. In Patna, a family’s holy dip in the Ganga river turned tragic. Their boat capsized in the Barh area. Four family members are missing, and thirteen others were rescued.

The missing in Bhojpur are Ramji Gond, Nishu Sharma, Sonu Kumar Yadav, and Deepu Kumar. The missing in Barh are Avdhesh Kumar, his brother-in-law Hardev Prasad, Nitish Kumar, and Manju Devi .

In response,

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakhs will be given to the families of each deceased victim. He expressed his condolences and assured that the state government would provide all necessary support to the affected families during this tragic time.

भोजपुर जिले के शिवपुर गंगा घाट पर 4 बच्चों के डूबने से हुई मृत्यु दुःखद। मृतकों के परिजनों को 4-4 लाख रू॰ अनुग्रह अनुदान दिया जाएगा। मृतकों के परिजनों को दुःख की इस घड़ी में धैर्य धारण करने की शक्ति प्रदान करने की ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है।

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) June 17, 2024

Sharad Pawar Retort To PM Modi: ‘Bhatakti Aatma’ Will Never Leave You

June 11, 2024, 2:56 pm

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘bhatakti aatma’ (wandering spirit) remark during Lok Sabha election campaigning, likening himself to such a spirit and asserting its persistence, thus countering PM Modi’s jab.

Speaking at a rally in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar (officially called Ahilya Nagar), Pawar, the chief of his NCP faction, took a swipe at PM Modi over the formation of a coalition government at the Centre. He questioned whether PM Modi sought the consent of the common people while forming the government and highlighted his alliance with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Pawar also noted PM Modi’s tendency during the elections to emphasize his own leadership rather than the nation or government.

Interestingly, PM Modi made these remarks at a Pune rally, notably in the presence of Sunetra Pawar, the wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s nephew. Reacting to this, Sharad Pawar acknowledged being restless over the struggles faced by farmers and the impact of inflation on the common people.

“It is correct that the soul is ‘asvastha’ (restless) but not for the self but to highlight the hardships faced by farmers. I am restless to put forward the plight of the common man suffering from inflation. I am ready to be restless 100 times to highlight the woes of the people,” Sharad Pawar said.

During the rally in Ahilya Nagar, Sharad Pawar criticized PM Modi’s comments about minorities, citing concerns over wealth redistribution based on childbirth and threats to women’s mangalsutras. These comments echoed PM Modi’s earlier statements in April, which sparked controversy and accusations of creating religious divisions. PM Modi alleged that if the Congress were voted to power, the country’s wealth would be given to “those who have children” and “infiltrators,” and that the mangalsutra of women would be snatched away. This ignited a controversy, with the Opposition accusing the Prime Minister of lying and fostering religious divisions.

Watch: Nitish Kumar Attempts To Touch PM Modi’s Feet Again, Video Goes Viral

June 7, 2024, 2:39 pm

Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) (JDU) President Nitish Kumar made another attempt to touch Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet during a key meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs in Delhi, where he announced his party’s support to Modi.

In a viral video, Nitish is seen approaching the prime minister with folded hands and bowing to touch his feet. Modi quickly stopped him, and the two leaders shook hands instead.

Watch Here:

Nitish ab Modi ke hai ??

Congress headquarters aur RJD headquarter mai ab vidhwa vilap ho rha hoga yeh video dekh ke. pic.twitter.com/tTfZNQBxlO

— Being Political (@BeingPolitical1) June 7, 2024

Modi is about six months older than Nitish Kumar.

Nitish had previously made headlines in May when, after switching from the Opposition INDIA bloc to the NDA, he attempted to touch PM Modi’s feet during a rally in Nawada, Bihar. Despite criticism from the Opposition, BJP leaders supported the gesture, calling it a sign of respect.

During the NDA meeting on Friday, Nitish took a dig at the Opposition, saying, “‘Agli baar jab aap aaiye toh kuch log jo idhar udhar jeet gaya hai, agli baar sab haarega. Humko poora bharosa hai’ (I feel that the next time you (Modi) come back to power, those who have won seats here and there will not any of the seats. I have full faith).”

“Proposal passed to form government with JDU in Bihar”: BJP after Nitish Kumar’s resignation

January 28, 2024, 1:08 pm

After tendering his resignation as the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar is poised to establish a new government in collaboration with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state. Vinod Tawde, the party in charge in Bihar, revealed that during a meeting, a proposal was approved to form a government with the Janata Dal (United) [JDU], an integral part of the NDA.

Tawde explained, “We all were listening to PM Modi’s Mann ki Baat, and after that, the legislature party meeting took place. In that meeting, all the MLAs passed this proposal in which the government of BJP, JDU, and other parties of NDA should be formed in Bihar.” He further noted that Samrat Choudhary was chosen as the leader of the legislative assembly party.

Samrat Chaudhary, the BJP Bihar Chief, expressed his gratitude for being selected as the leader of the Legislative Assembly party. He mentioned that the BJP supported Nitish Kumar’s proposal to form a new government, considering it an emotional moment. Chaudhary emphasized the need to regain the public support received in 2020 for the development of Bihar and to counter the influence of Lalu Prasad. He affirmed the resolve to win 40 Lok Sabha seats from Bihar.

Responding to the political developments after submitting his resignation, Nitish Kumar acknowledged that the state of affairs within the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) formed a year and a half ago was unfavorable. He stated, “I resigned as chief minister and requested the Governor to dissolve the government. The situation came to this pass as the state of affairs within the ruling alliance in Bihar wasn’t good.” Nitish Kumar explained that despite forming the alliance based on a common minimum program and promises to the people, the alliance failed to meet expectations and fulfill its essential duties. He noted the deterioration of relations within the alliance, leading to his decision to sever all ties with the ‘Mahagathbandhan,’ particularly targeting the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM for 9th time, JDU rejoins BJP-led NDA

January 28, 2024, 11:23 am

Nitish Kumar took oath as the Bihar Chief Minister for a record ninth time on Sunday (28 January 2024) after his party, the Janata Dal United, broke away from the Mahagathbandhan and joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party led National Democratic Alliance once again. Calling on Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Raj Bhavan earlier on Sunday, Nitish resigned saying, “We have decided to sever ties with the Mahagathbandhan in the state”.

The BJP, with the largest contingent of 17 MPs in Bihar out of a total of 40 Lok Sabha members, is a significant player. The JD(U), led by Nitish Kumar, has 16 MPs, and another NDA ally, LJP, now split between Pashupati Kumar Paras and Chirag Paswan, has six MPs.

In the Bihar Assembly comprising 243 seats, the RJD holds 79 MLAs, followed by the BJP with 78, the JD(U) with 45, the Congress with 19, the CPI (M-L) with 12, and two each for the CPI(M) and CPI. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) has four seats, and the AIMIM has one, along with one Independent legislator.

Bihar turmoil: CM Nitish Kumar edged out of RJD’s full-page ad, only features Tejashwi

January 28, 2024, 11:18 am

Amidst widespread speculations regarding Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s upcoming political decisions, the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’s’ partner, RJD, published a full-page advertisement in prominent state newspapers on Sunday. The advertisement prominently featured Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, sidelining Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar. The RJD expressed gratitude to Tejashwi for various developmental initiatives, including the creation of over 4 lakh government jobs and boosting the state’s tourism sector. This development follows intense rumors suggesting Nitish Kumar’s potential return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), potentially leading to the dissolution of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government in the state.

The dynamic political scenario was set in motion by a social media post from Rohini Acharya, former CM and RJD chief Lalu Yadav’s daughter. In her post, she criticized the JD(U), referring to it as a ‘socialist party’ that claims to be progressive but changes its ideology with shifting political winds.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar has reportedly requested a meeting with the state Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in Patna. Both the BJP and JD(U) are conducting separate meetings on Sunday. Speaking about the BJP meeting, party leader Ram Narayan Mandal mentioned a focus on expanding and strengthening their organizational presence in the state. On the fate of the grand alliance, he deferred commenting, stating that only the top leadership would articulate their position on the current state of affairs.

In a peculiar twist of events, JD(U) minister Sanjay Jha, considered a close aide of CM Nitish, did not attend the meeting at the chief minister’s residence in his official vehicle. If Nitish Kumar decides to switch sides, it would mark the fourth instance of such a political move for him. In a subsequent post, Rohini Acharya reiterated her commitment to the fight against ‘communal forces,’ stating that the struggle would persist until their last breath.

Bihar turmoil: Bihar BJP MLAs arrive at party office in Patna for party meet

January 28, 2024, 11:14 am

Sources: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar seeks time to meet Governor today

January 28, 2024, 9:07 am

Amid the ongoing political upheaval in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reportedly scheduled to meet the Governor today, according to sources. Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, has sought an appointment with the Governor this morning, fueling speculations of a potential departure from the Mahagathbandhan government, as per sources.

While Nitish Kumar has not disclosed his next course of action, there are widespread speculations suggesting a potential rift between the Mahagathbandhan alliance and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar joining the NDA.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to hold a meeting with its MLAs and MPs in Patna at 9 am today to strategize in response to the evolving political situation in the state.

The ruling JD(U)-RJD-Congress coalition in Bihar is on the verge of collapsing, with the possibility that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar might align with the NDA again, the alliance from which he separated in 2022 to form the ‘mahagathbandhan.’

If Nitish Kumar decides to switch sides, it would be the fourth time he has made such a political move. However, Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary dismissed the speculation, stating that the party’s high command is currently unaware of any such developments.

“Neither has Nitish Kumarji resigned nor has anybody withdrawn support. Only if something happens, then we will have any information. At present, the BJP wants to assess the situation of Bihar, and then we will make a decision accordingly,” Choudhary mentioned while addressing reporters in Patna. He added, “We will get informed only if Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives information regarding the same.”

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Declines Convenor Post of INDIA Alliance

January 13, 2024, 2:44 pm

Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar has reportedly declined the post of convenor of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. Sources indicate that Kumar suggested that someone from the Congress should assume the responsibility of the post. This development occurred during a virtual meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, where the seat-sharing agenda, participation in Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and other alliance-related matters were discussed.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar attended the meeting via video conferencing from Mumbai, while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin and party leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi participated from Chennai. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was absent, attending a pre-scheduled state program.

In a previous meeting, Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav proposed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as the Prime Ministerial candidate.

The INDIA bloc, comprising various opposition parties, including the Congress, aims to challenge the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Parallel meetings are ongoing, with the Congress’ alliance committee taking the lead in consulting with various parties within the INDIA bloc for state-level alliances. A meeting between Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders took place on Friday, characterized as a positive move. The Congress alliance committee is set to meet with leaders from Jharkhand on Saturday to continue alliance-building efforts.

As India approaches the Lok Sabha elections, the political landscape is witnessing significant reshuffling, with the emerging INDIA consortium preparing to challenge the established National Democratic Alliance. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA secured 353 seats, the UPA stood at 91, and other parties won 98. The elections took place in seven phases between April 11 and May 19, with a voter turnout of around 67%.

‘Nitish Kumar ‘PM of ideas’ of INDIA alliance’: JD(U) leader KC Tyagi

December 30, 2023, 3:01 am

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was unanimously re-elected as President of Janata Dal (United) at a meeting of the party’s national executive in Delhi on Friday afternoon. The Bihar Chief Minister was re-appointed minutes after aide Lalan Singh stepped down.
Addressing the media after the meeting, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said, “After the resignation of Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, CM Nitish Kumar has been elected as the new national president of the party…”

Tyagi further called the Bihar CM the ‘prime minister of ideas’ of the Opposition bloc INDIA- an alliance forged for putting up a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance umbrella.
“(Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar is the convenor and Prime Minister of the ideas of the INDIA alliance. He has given so much priority to the issue of social justice,” Tyagi said.

Earlier, Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary confirmed the offer of resignation from Lalan Singh saying “There is a national executive meeting of JD(U) going on. If they accept our proposal, then Nitish Kumar will be the party president. Lalan Singh told CM Nitish Kumar that he will be busy with elections, so he wants to hand over the post of party president to him and Nitish Kumar accepted it…”
Speaking on the same, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said that it is a good thing that CM Nitish has become chief of his party.

“ If he (Nitish Kumar) has become the president of his party (JD(U)) then it is the decision of their party. He has been the President of JD(U) earlier as well. He is a senior leader of his party so it is a good thing if he has become the President of JD(U)”
Earlier in the day, some members of JDU were seen raising slogans “Desh ka Pradhan Mantri kaisa ho? Nitish Kumar jaisa ho” outside the Constitution Club in Delhi where the national executive meeting was held. The meeting comes just days after the critical INDIA alliance meeting in Delhi. The JDU which is part of the alliance will now be getting into hectic parleys with the Congress on the alliance combination for the state.

Many JDU leaders are making a pitch for Nitish to lead the INDIA bloc, even as Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal publicly announced Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as prospective PM Candidate. At the national executive meeting venue, posters featuring Bihar CM Nitish Kumar read ‘Pradesh ne pehchana, ab desh bhi pehchanega’ (The state of Bihar recognised him, now the nation will) have also been put up. However, on the question of the invitation for the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said that his party has not been invited yet for the ceremony.

Nitish replaces Lalan Singh as JD(U) chief

December 30, 2023, 1:03 am

New Delhi: With months to go for the Lok Sabha polls, the Janata Dal (United) on Friday saw a change at its helm as the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was unanimously re-elected as President of the party at a meeting of the party’s national executive in Delhi.
Later, speaking to reporters after the party’s national council meeting in Delhi, he said that he has accepted the post of the national president of the party.

“I have accepted the post of the national president of the party”, he said.
It came after Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, resigned from the post.
It is not the first time when Nitish Kumar has taken over as the president of the party. In 2016, he became party president after replacing Sharad Yadav. A year later, Kumar broke the ruling alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and joined hands with the BJP.
Last year, Nitish Kumar ended his five-year-long association with the BJP again and reunited with the RJD.

Later, JD (U) spokesperson KC Tyagi rejected rumours of a tiff between the two leaders.
“Our party remains united, there are no differences between Nitish Kumar and Lalan Singh,” he said.
“Four proposals were passed including a political caste-based census at the national level. In January, Nitish Kumar will start a campaign starting from Jharkhand. He authorised to negotiate with allies for seat sharing agreement,” Tyagi said.

Tyagi further called the Bihar CM the ‘prime minister of ideas’ of the Opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A- an alliance forged for putting up a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance umbrella.
“(Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar is the convenor and Prime Minister of the ideas of the I.N.D.I.A alliance. He has given so much priority to the issue of social justice,” Tyagi said.

Earlier, Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary confirmed the offer of resignation from Lalan Singh saying “There is a national executive meeting of JD (U) going on. If they accept our proposal, then Nitish Kumar will be the party president.
Lalan Singh told CM Nitish Kumar that he will be busy with elections, so he wants to hand over the post of party president to him and Nitish Kumar accepted it…”

Palaniswami vows rapid action, pledges to amplify public voices in Parliament

December 27, 2023, 2:54 am

With the judiciary and even the Election Commission recognising the AIADMK under him, the party will function at “jet speed” and ensure people’s voices are heard in Parliament, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Tuesday.
Alliance with national parties would do no good for Tamil Nadu as both the Congress or the BJP-led alliances always meted out step-motherly treatment to the state, he claimed and said the AIADMK had already made it clear that it would not have an electoral pact with the BJP.

“We are getting affected and are sidelined as national parties are not upholding coalition dharma. There’s no point in depending on national parties. People who vote are our masters. We will work for our masters rather than projecting someone as Prime Ministerial candidate,” Palaniswami said in his maiden address at the party’s General Council and Executive Committee meeting held at Srivaru Venkatachalapathy Palace in suburban Vanagaram, after he was elected as AIADMK’s general secretary.

The AIADMK would ensure the voice of the people are heard in Parliament, he said and pointed out that in the past the AIADMK functioned effectively in raising the issues concerning Tamil Nadu.
“Our 37 MPs stalled the Parliament for 22 days on the Cauvery issue. We will work for the people, ensure more funds for the development of Tamil Nadu,” he said at the meeting.
Training his guns on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and the INDIA bloc, Palaniswami said the opposition parties-led alliance was a picture of contrast and differences, with Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar reminding the DMK leaders that Hindi is our national language and that they have to learn it.

“Why didn’t Chief Minister Stalin, who always favours Tamil in everything and everywhere, raise his voice when the Bihar Chief Minister declined a translation of his speech into English?” Palaniswami asked, referring to the incident at the fourth meeting of the opposition alliance in Delhi on December 19.
“This is the position in the INDIA alliance,” the former Chief Minister said.

On the issue of a PM candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he said since people were the masters his party was for the people and not the Prime Minister. In a veiled reference to the deposed former coordinator O Panneerselvam, Palaniswami alleged “some traitors joined hands with our enemies to destroy the AIADMK. But justice was on our side and it prevailed in the court. The Election Commission of India has recognised us. Henceforth, the AIADMK will function at jet speed.” Addressing his followers in Coimbatore, Panneerselvam said “Palaniswami would go to Tihar jail if I reveal the mistakes that happened during the AIADMK rule.”

Ahead of INDIA Meet, Patna Endorses Nitish Kumar for PM: Posters Make Strong Pitch

December 19, 2023, 11:19 am

Before the INDIA bloc meeting, Patna saw the appearance of posters supporting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the opposition alliance’s prime ministerial nominee. The posters read, “Agar sach mein jeet chahiye toh fir ek Nischay aur ek Nitish chahiye”(If victory is the objective, then we need to resolve Nitish). Deliberations on seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are expected to be a key focus as the bloc prepares for its fourth meeting on Tuesday.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi, addressing the media on Tuesday, highlighted that crucial aspects, including seat-sharing, would likely be pivotal topics during the meeting. Atishi conveyed the commitment of the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal to contribute towards ensuring the success of the opposition alliance.

With the Lok Sabha polls just four months away, seat-sharing discussions are anticipated to dominate the agenda of the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting. The outcome of these discussions holds significant implications for the Congress, particularly following its electoral setbacks in the heartland states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

The opposition alliance, spearheaded by the Congress, was established with the primary goal of presenting a united front against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the 2024 general elections. Previous meetings of the opposition bloc, held in Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, have laid the groundwork for collaborative strategies, emphasizing the importance of collective participation in the electoral process. The Mumbai meeting also saw the adoption of resolutions to jointly contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with an emphasis on reaching seat-sharing agreements through a cooperative approach.