In her newly released memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has alleged that Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar was operating under the influence of the BJP and was actively seeking an opportunity to exit the opposition INDIA bloc. Gandhi describes Kumar’s decision to rejoin the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in January 2024 as a premeditated move rather than an abrupt reaction.
Recounting events leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi writes that Kumar left a crucial opposition leaders' meeting after making what she described as a "feeble excuse." She noted that this incident left her with the feeling that "something was afoot" regarding his future in the alliance. While she acknowledged that his departure caused initial shock within the opposition, she maintained that the event ultimately served to strengthen their resolve.
The JD(U) has responded with a sharp rebuttal, accusing Gandhi of misrepresenting the situation. JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad described Kumar as the "architect" and "driving force" behind the INDIA bloc. He stated that it was Kumar who traveled across the country to convince reluctant regional parties to align with the Congress, eventually hosting the alliance's first meeting in Patna.
The party further asserted that Kumar exited the alliance only after concluding that the Congress and its allies lacked the structural capacity to challenge the NDA. JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha labeled Gandhi’s remarks as "petty and frivolous," noting that Kumar had originally held reservations regarding the acronym INDIA. Jha added that the alliance was formed based on the credibility Kumar brought to the table rather than the goodwill of the Congress.
Key facts
- Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', was published by HarperCollins India.
- Nitish Kumar rejoined the BJP-led NDA in January 2024.
- JD(U) claims Kumar was the primary architect who persuaded regional parties to join the INDIA bloc.
- The JD(U) cited personal ambitions and regional political interests within the Congress as reasons for the alliance's failure.
- Sanjay Kumar Jha stated that Kumar had previously expressed opposition to the name of the INDIA alliance.
Why it matters
The disagreement between the Congress and JD(U) highlights ongoing tensions regarding the leadership and formation of the pre-election opposition alliance. The exchange underscores differing narratives over why the INDIA bloc struggled to maintain unity against the NDA ahead of the 2024 national elections.
Background
Nitish Kumar has switched political alliances multiple times, having previously left the NDA to join the Mahagathbandhan in August 2022 before returning to the NDA in early 2024.
Source: News18, Times of India
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