JDU gears up for 2024 polls as Amit Shah plans Bihar visit

PATNA/NEW DELHI | Updated: 12 September, 2023 11:51 am IST

Nitish Kumar will be conducting such surprise inspections every week

PATNA/NEW DELHI: Amidst discussions surrounding a potential name change for the country and the successful conclusion of the G20 Summit, the Janata Dal (United) has sprung into action, convening a special party meeting to deliberate on the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In a bid to counter the imminent visit of Union home minister Amit Shah to Bihar on September 16, aimed at bolstering support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), chief minister Nitish Kumar’s party has initiated a comprehensive grassroots effort to consolidate its party workers.

This strategic move is aimed at securing the future of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which convened its third meeting in Mumbai last month.

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Nevertheless, the strength of the alliance has come under scrutiny, particularly after leaders from the opposition, such as West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and others, attended a G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. This exclusive gathering also saw the participation of foreign dignitaries, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden, and French President Emmanuel Macron, among others.

Neeraj Kumar, a Member of the Legislative Council from JD (U), remarked, “Nitish Kumar is a seasoned leader. None of the BJP chief ministers had the opportunity to converse with US President Joe Biden, but Nitish ji did. This should not raise questions about the INDIA alliance.”

In a surprising turn of events, JD (U) president Lalan Singh was conspicuously absent from the meeting.