Nitish Kumar leading Opposition unity, tweets JDU after Bihar CM meets Naveen Patnaik

The Janata Dal (United), JDU on Tuesday claimed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has become the leader of the united-Opposition against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

The tweet came after Nitish Kumar met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

“Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has become the leader of opposition unity; went to Odisha and met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik; uniting opposition parties without personal ambition,” the JDU tweeted.

विपक्षी एकता के अगुआ बने मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार, उड़ीसा जाकर मुख्यमंत्री श्री नवीन पटनायक से की मुलाकात, बिना व्यक्तिगत महत्वाकांक्षा के विपक्षी पार्टियों को कर रहे एकजुट।#JDU #NitishKumar #Bihar #Odisha #VipakshiEkta #Opposition pic.twitter.com/RkM5EV9IcC

— Janata Dal (United) (@Jduonline) May 9, 2023

However, earlier in the day, Naveen Patnaik refuted speculations about any political alliance between the two leaders. According to Patnaik, both he and Nitish share a very old friendship, and no discussions were held on any alliance.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, “Our relationship with Biju Babu and Naveen Ji is very old. Due to Covid, we could not meet. No political discussions were held. We have good relations and there is no need to discuss any politics.”

Nitish Kumar arrived in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning and held discussions with Patnaik at Naveen Niwas. He left Bhubaneswar for Patna after the meeting.

Even though Naveen Patnaik-led ruling-BJD in Odisha has been claiming that its policy has always been to remain equidistant from the Congress and the BJP, it remains to be seen what course the meeting of Bihar CM and Odisha CM takes in the near future.