No invite for NDA meet, but Kushwaha remains ‘hopeful’

PATNA: Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani have not been invited to the NDA meeting in Delhi on July 18, the day when over 20 non-BJP parties are slated to discuss in Bengaluru strategies to counter the PM Narendra Modi-led coalition in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Although Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Janta Dal (RLJD) is still hopeful of being part of NDA later, Sahani on Sunday shrugged the lack of an invite. “Jisko shaadi hi nahin karni hai, uske liye kya rishta aayega? Hum BJP ke saath jana hi nahin chahte hain (why will a wedding proposal come to those who don’t want to get married? We don’t want to align with BJP),” Sahani said.

Interestingly, both Kushwaha and Sahani were provided upgraded security by the Centre recently, triggering speculation of their entry into the BJP-led NDA soon.

Kushwaha, who formed his RLJD in February, has been cosying up to BJP and attacking CM Nitish Kumar ever since quitting JD(U).

RLJD state spokesperson Ram Pukar Sinha indicated that the NDA call could come later. “We have not been invited so far. Only those parties have been invited which are a part of NDA,” he told TOI. Asserting that “we are not in the least disappointed”, Sinha said his party will be invited only after the NDA meeting decides to accommodate more parties in the alliance. “We are hopeful,” he said.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.