Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday convened an important meeting with key members of the ruling NDA to formulate targeted strategies for the upcoming 2025 assembly election.

The leaders of the JD(U), BJP, and minor allies, including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Lok Morcha, and Hindustani Awam Morcha convened at Kumar’s residence located at 1, Anne Marg for their discussions.

Neeraj Kumar, a prominent figure in the JD(U), articulated that the purpose of the meeting was to manifest the cohesion among NDA members in Bihar.

“The leader of our party has been confidently proclaiming that the NDA will secure over 200 seats in the 243-member House.” Achieving optimal harmony among all constituents is essential for that purpose. “The meeting convened today has been organized for that specific purpose,” stated Ashok Choudhary, the state minister and national general secretary of JD(U), while addressing reporters.

Sources within the party indicate that the meeting concentrated on formulating strategies to proficiently convey the accomplishments and initiatives of the NDA government in Bihar to the populace.

The gathering occurred concurrently with the ongoing by-elections for four Assembly seats in the state, an event that many perceive as a precursor to the elections in 2025.

The sources indicated that the NDA partners engaged in discussions regarding the evolving political landscape, particularly the emergence of new political entities, including Prashant Kishor’s party and the expected formation of a party by R C P Singh on October 31. The leaders engaged in a discourse regarding strategies to counter these new entrants, while also addressing internal matters and the pressures posed by opposition during the meeting.

The public’s discontent regarding policies such as prohibition and the contentious implementation of smart meters, which have incited significant criticism and emerged as central issues for opposition, was extensively examined.

Kumar is set to spearhead the coalition in the upcoming 2025 election, and the recent meeting signifies a pivotal advancement in consolidating NDA allies for a robust campaign. This marks the inaugural significant gathering of NDA leaders in Bihar subsequent to Kumar’s reintegration into the NDA coalition.

The recent development signifies the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) strategic efforts to bolster its standing in Bihar in anticipation of the forthcoming election.