"BJP Can Hold Lok Sabha Elections In December": Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Reiterates Mamata Banerjee's Claim

Some sort of unity in the INDIA alliance was finally visible when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar echoed his counterpart in West Bengal Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (29 August).

Kumar highlighted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could potentially advance the Lok Sabha elections to December this year. He underscored the importance of opposition parties maintaining unity in the face of this possibility.

The Bihar CM stated, "For the past seven to eight months, I have been expressing that the NDA government at the Centre might opt for early Lok Sabha elections due to the apprehension of further BJP losses owing to opposition solidarity."

Speaking to reporters during the inauguration of the new campus of Nalanda Open University, he emphasized the necessity for opposition parties to unite in order to counter the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.

Kumar iterated, "I have no personal ambitions, no personal desires. My sole intent is to forge a maximum number of alliances (excluding the BJP) before the elections."

Highlighting efforts towards opposition unity, Kumar noted that the coalition INDIA would gain more strength following a meeting in Mumbai on 31 August and 1 September.

Earlier, Mamata Banerjee, voiced concerns during a rally that the BJP could possibly hold the Lok Sabha elections either in December or January. She cautioned against the potential rise of an autocratic rule if the BJP secures a third consecutive term in power.

"They have already turned our country into a nation in the throes of animosity among communities. If they return to power, it will make our country a nation of hatred,” she further said.

Banerjee also alleged that the BJP had “already booked all choppers” to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections so that no other political party could use those for campaigning.

Kumar also confirmed the completion of the caste-based survey in Bihar, which is currently being compiled for publication. He also questioned the Centre's silence on the delay in the nationwide census, which should have concluded in 2021.