Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to meet his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar on May 9 at ‘Naveen Niwas’ in Bhubaneswar. The meeting comes amid growing talks of regional parties forming an alliance ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Sources suggest that the two leaders are likely to discuss the possibility of a third front, which could emerge as a powerful force against the ruling BJP and the Congress-led opposition. Both Patnaik and Kumar have been critical of the Centre’s policies and have advocated for greater autonomy for states.
Nitish Kumar, who is also the leader of the Janata Dal (United), had recently announced that he would tour the country to unite opposition parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year. He has already held talks with several regional leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.
The Bihar CM has been advocating for a united opposition to take on the BJP, which has been winning successive elections in the country since 2014. The party currently rules in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, among others.
On the other hand, Naveen Patnaik, who heads the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has been in power in Odisha for over two decades. He has often been critical of the Centre’s policies, particularly in the areas of agriculture, health, and education. His party has a significant presence in the state and is considered a formidable force.
The two leaders share a cordial relationship and have worked together in the past on several issues of regional importance. Their meeting on May 9 is expected to focus on the formation of a third front, which could include several regional parties.
The idea of a third front has gained momentum in recent months, particularly after the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam. While the BJP won in Assam and made significant gains in West Bengal, it failed to make a mark in the other three states. This has given rise to hopes that regional parties could come together to take on the BJP in the 2024 general elections.
However, forming a third front is not an easy task, given the diverse interests of various regional parties. Moreover, many parties are also wary of joining hands with others, as they fear losing their identity and relevance.
Despite these challenges, Nitish Kumar remains optimistic about the possibility of a united opposition. He has been actively reaching out to leaders of several regional parties and is expected to continue doing so in the coming months.
The meeting between Naveen Patnaik and Nitish Kumar is likely to be closely watched by political observers. It remains to be seen whether the two leaders can come up with a viable plan to form a third front or whether this remains a distant dream.
