BJP feeling threatened due to INDIA’s unity, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said BJP threatened by Opposition unity; INDIA to meet in Mumbai to discuss strategy; Tejashwi Prasad Yadav attacked PM Modi for selling public assets to private companies; RJD's Jha accused PMO of being guilty in caste-based survey.

Ahead of the third meeting of the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in Mumbai, Janata Dal (United) leader and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on August 27 that BJP leaders are feeling threatened due to the unity of the Opposition. Mr. Kumar also said that some more political parties would be joining the Mumbai meeting.

Mr. Kumar said this while speaking to reporters after the inspection of a construction work in Patna. Earlier this week, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad too had said that INDIA will save the democracy which is currently in danger as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking all the effort to eliminate the constitution of Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

“They (read BJP) know very well that Opposition parties were earlier scattered and now all the political parties are united after my initiative. They are feeling threatened because they will have to face loss due opposition getting united. This is also the reason the BJP leaders keep attacking me but I really don’t care what they say about me and I will keep working,” Mr. Kumar said.

Two of INDIA’s meetings have already taken place in Patna and Bengaluru and the third is scheduled in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1 to chalk out the future strategy. Mr. Kumar has played an important role in uniting the Opposition parties and bringing them on a common platform and there is speculation that he would be appointed as INDIA convener.

Mr. Kumar reiterated that he does not have any personal desire to become anything except uniting the opposition. Mr. Kumar also said that in the Mumbai meeting, some more political parties will join and discussion should also be held on Lok Sabha seats as well.

“I will be going to Mumbai for the third meeting and discussion will take place on several issues. Some more political parties would be joining the meeting. Finalisation of some issues would take place and I also want that discussion should take place on who will contest from which seat,” Mr. Kumar said.  

Even Mr. Prasad had said that everything had been finalised and the Mumbai meeting would be probably the final meeting of the alliance as little time was left for the Lok Sabha election.