Nitish, Pawar stress on unity, Naveen says no possibility of third front

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NCP president Sharad Pawar on Thursday discussed efforts to strengthen opposition unity ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha elections, the two leaders said.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ruled out the possibility of a ‘third front’ being formed to contest the next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
The Chief Minister, who is in Delhi, was answering queries from reporters about the possibility of a third front in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections amid efforts by some leaders to bring together opposition parties. “No, as far as I am concerned. Not now,” he said.
Kumar, who visited Pawar at the latter’s residence in south Mumbai along with deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, told reporters that what the ruling BJP is doing is not in the interest of the country. Earlier, he met Uddhav Thackeray at the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader’s Bandra home.
“What BJP is doing nowadays is not in the interest of the country. In such a situation, if more and more opposition parties unite, it would be better for the country,” he said. Kumar said many parties have got in touch with them. “All I can say now is that it is happening in the interest of the country,” he said. Pawar said these discussions are part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). “We all have been together and we are bringing in more parties and groups,” he said. Kumar said they are trying hard to form a larger coalition in the country. “We will discuss it with all the stakeholders and can give it a new name,” he said. Asked if Pawar will be the main face of the opposition alliance, Kumar said, “There will be nothing more delightful than that. I have told him that he has to work with more vigour not only for his party but for the entire country.” The more opposition parties come together, the better it is in the interest of the country, Kumar said. Pawar said, “To save democracy, it is important to work together. After looking at the condition of the country, it seems that if we work together, there will be support for the alternative.” In another development, during his visit to the national capital, Patnaik met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with development works related to Odisha.
“I met the Prime Minister and we discussed issues related to Orissa’s demand. I spoke for the International Airport that we have to set up in Puri, Bhubaneswar is getting too much traffic now that’s why we want an expansion. The Prime Minister said that he will definitely help in every way possible,” he said. Asked about his meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish on Tuesday, Patnaik said it was a “courtesy” meeting.