Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav arrived in the national capital on Wednesday for the INDIA bloc meeting, urging people to “wait and watch” amidst rising speculations about the formation of the next government. Notably, Tejashwi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who attended the NDA meeting, traveled together to Delhi on the same flight.
“Have some patience. Wait and watch,” Tejashwi told reporters upon arrival. When asked about the viral photos of him and CM Nitish Kumar on the same flight, Tejashwi responded, “We greeted each other. As for what happens next, just wait and see.”
Nitish Kumar, upon his arrival in Delhi, affirmed that a new government will be formed. “Sarkar toh ab banegi hi (the government will indeed be formed),” he stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured a third term, but the BJP will need the support of coalition partners, including JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. Both Naidu and Nitish have pledged their support for the NDA government. However, there are ongoing speculations that the INDIA bloc is attempting to attract some of the NDA allies to create a surprising shift.
The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha election votes was completed on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, significantly fewer than its 2019 tally of 303. Conversely, the Congress made substantial gains, winning 99 seats. The INDIA bloc surpassed the 230 mark, presenting a strong challenge and defying expectations.
In Bihar, the BJP-led NDA performed well, securing 29 out of 40 seats. Both the BJP and JD(U) won 12 seats each, while LJP (Ram Vilas) won all five seats it contested. The RJD and Congress won four and three seats, respectively.