NDA or Twist?: Nitish Kumar And Tejashwi Yadav On Same Flight To Delhi (Photo on @Chacha_huu)
Perhaps in a symbolic coincidence, the man known for the record political flip, NDA-member Nitish Kumar was flying to Delhi along with INDIA bloc member and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in the same flight to attend their respective alliance meetings. The news grabbed headlines amid uncertain political future following the electoral debacle of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which fell short of an absolute majority to form the government at the Centre.
As counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha election result ended, the BJP-led NDA secured 294 seats, while the INDIA bloc alliance accumulated 234. However, the NDA has secured the majority mark of 272 seats, the figure needed to form the government in the 543-member Parliament.
Notably, the INDIA bloc, which garnered 234 seats, which is less than 38 to reach 272, is reportedly trying to woo NDA members into the bloc. The JD(U), a member of NDA, which won 12 seats, holds significant sway in forming India’s future government. Apart from Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has secured 16 seats in Andhra Pradesh.
Amid the suspense, the journey of the RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and JDU leader Nitish Kumar for attending separate INDIA bloc and NDA meetings. Both were former allies in Bihar, and Nitish Kumar was severely critical of the Prime Minister-led BJP government in the past. Given the political dynamics and speculations, there could be some potential twist in the days ahead if the NDA fails to keep its allies.
INDIA bloc leader also now actively looking to reach out to the TDP and JD(U) leader for joining the opposition alliance. Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly dismissed the reports of joining the INDIA alliance, stating that the TDP would be firm with the BJP-led NDA.
It is analysed that the INDIA bloc needs to get the backing from both JDU and TDP along with the support from some unaligned MPs to reach the majority margin in the parliament to form a government.
