In a recent development, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale extended an open invitation to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to reconsider rejoining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, the gesture has been met with resistance from within the BJP ranks, with party MP Sushil Modi asserting that the BJP is not inclined towards welcoming Nitish Kumar back into the fold.
Ramdas Athawale, who leads the Republican Party of India (Athawale) – an NDA constituent, made the announcement on Saturday, expressing his desire to see Nitish Kumar return to the alliance. He praised the Chief Minister for his commendable work in Bihar and urged him not to participate in the upcoming joint opposition meet in Mumbai. Athawale’s words indicated that he believes Kumar can seamlessly rejoin the NDA, and that his departure in 2022 was not necessarily permanent.
However, Sushil Modi, a prominent BJP leader, was quick to respond to Athawale’s invitation, making it clear that the BJP is not interested in the JD(U) leader’s return. Modi emphasized that Athawale’s statements were his personal opinions and not representative of the NDA’s stance. He further described Nitish Kumar as a ‘burden’ and highlighted that his ability to sway votes had diminished significantly.
Modi pointed out that in the last Vidhan Sabha election, Kumar’s electoral success owed much to the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Without the PM’s backing, it was doubtful if Nitish Kumar would have won the 44 seats he secured. Sushil Modi suggested that political relevance hinges on the ability to garner votes, and without this capability, the Bihar Chief Minister held little importance in the current political landscape.
Nitish Kumar’s decision to part ways with the NDA in 2022 led him to form a new government with the support of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Grand Alliance) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). He emerged as one of the prominent faces of the opposition parties’ alliance in India.
The situation has underscored the complexities of coalition politics, with individual leaders and parties holding diverse views on alliances and political partnerships. While Athawale’s invitation seemed to signal a potential reconciliation, the BJP’s unwavering stance reflects the party’s commitment to its current political trajectory.
As the political dynamics continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how Nitish Kumar will respond to the NDA’s stand and what implications this development might have on the Bihar Chief Minister’s political future. The ongoing political maneuvering adds an intriguing dimension to the larger political landscape as parties gear up for future electoral battles.
Sources By Agencies