The Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) block is headed for yet another setback as Jayant Chaudhary of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) is planning to exit the bloc and join hands with the BJP.
According to sources, Chaudhary has met a senior BJP leader in this regard and an official announcement is likely to be made later this month if all goes as per the plan. Chaudhary has reportedly asked for four Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh – Mathura, Kairana, Baghpat, and Amroha – and it is being said that the BJP’s response to his demand has largely been positive.
The latest development that comes just just a few months ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections is seen as a major blow to the Opposition.
As many as 28 Opposition parties had stitched an alliance to counter the Narendra Modi-led BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. They had resolved to fight the polls together “as much as possible.”
Earlier last month, Bihar CM and JD(U) national president Nitish Kumar, who played a crucial role in uniting the anti-BJP party, ended his association with the INDIA block to join the saffron party-led NDA.
Besides, more INDIA allies are set to be in serious disagreements over the seat-sharing with the principal Opposition Congress. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has publicly announced that her party TMC will not give a single seat to the Congress in West Bengal.
Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of Arvind Kejriwal has also refused to have an alliance with the grand old party in Punjab.
The recent statement of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, saying he doesn’t consider the BJP as enemy has also led to speculations.