All eyes on kingmakers Naidu and Nitish as NDA, INDIA bloc leaders set for hectic parleys
As several top leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition INDIA bloc landed in the national capital ahead of the crucial meetings in the evening, political circles are abuzz with various permutations and combinations of the new coalition government, which will take shape soon.
All eyes are on two potential kingmakers, the TDP’s N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister and JDU leader Nitish Kumar, who will play a key role in the formation of the new government. Though the BJP-led NDA secured 293 seats, the BJP with 240, failed to touch the majority mark and will have to rely on its allies to form a government. The NDA can comfortably sail through with the support of the TDP and JD(U), which bagged 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar respectively.
While both Naidu and Nitish have already reached Delhi for the NDA meeting at 4 pm, Congress sources said they are in touch with both erstwhile allies to explore possibilities.
Hectic parleys are expected among key leaders of the INDIA bloc including NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar, DMK chief M K Stalin, JMM leader Kalpana Soren and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejaswi Yadav. An opposition leader told The New Indian Express that they are not hurrying into any action and a decision will be taken after wider discussions with all partners of the alliance.
The Congress has already promised special category status to Andhra Pradesh, said a leader.