‘Lok Sabha polls likely to be advanced’: Nitish backs Mamata
The Hindu
Nitish Kumar backs Mamata Banerjee's claim that LS polls may be advanced due to Opposition unity. He urges all parties to unite to defeat BJP. He inaugurates Nalanda Open University's new campus. He confirms caste survey completed, data being compiled for publication. Urges Centre to explain delay in census.
The Lok Sabha elections are likely to be advanced as the BJP fears with time it will suffer more loss because of the Opposition unity, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on August 29, backing a similar claim made by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
Ms. Banerjee on Monday said that she was apprehensive that the Lok Sabha elections could be held in December this year, or in January.
Asked about the statement, Mr. Kumar told reporters, "I have been saying it for the last seven-eight months that the NDA Government at the Centre might go for early Lok Sabha polls, fearing more loss to the BJP because of Opposition unity."
"Therefore, all Opposition parties must come together to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. I am once again repeating that I have no desire for myself, I have no personal ambitions. My only wish is to unite the maximum number of parties [opposed to the BJP] before the elections," he added.
Mr. Kumar, who recently said that more parties are likely to join Opposition coalition INDIA, declined to divulge any details.
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"We have taken initiatives for unity among the Opposition parties. The Opposition coalition INDIA will further strengthen after the Mumbai meeting on August 31 and September 1," he said.