Nitish Kumar's Key Address at Jyoti Basu Symposium amid Opposition's Unified Front Endeavo

Later this month, Bihar Chief Minister and prominent INDIA bloc leader Nitish Kumar is expected in Calcutta to deliver a speech at a national symposium honoring CPM patriarch Jyoti Basu's death anniversary.

The Opposition's coordinated effort to mount a united front in the Lok Sabha elections against "the BJP's attempt to undermine the Constitution and destroy democratic institutions" makes Nitish's planned visit all the more significant.

According to JDU sources who spoke with The Telegraph on Saturday, Nitish accepted an invitation from the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research to speak at a symposium commemorating the CPM patriarch's 15th anniversary of passing away and at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the institute's new building in New Town.

A top JDU leader called from Bihar and said, "Nitish-ji will be in Calcutta on January 17 to speak at the national symposium on Jyoti Basu at the invitation of the CPM."

Md Salim, the CPM Bengal unit secretary, confirmed to The Telegraph on Saturday that Nitish had indeed been asked by the CPM to speak at the symposium on January 17.

Yes, the Bihar chief minister has been invited to speak at the national seminar on January 17. However, the specifics of the event will be revealed following the Brigade rally on Sunday. We've invited him by email, and we're waiting on his response," Salim stated.

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When asked if Nitish's contribution to bringing the partners in the INDIA bloc together had an influence on the decision, Salim responded, "Jyoti Basu was previously India's longest-serving chief minister, and Nitish has a long tenure as CM. In addition, he supports socialism.

"Challenges before secular, democratic Republic: Jyoti Basu's role and our duty" is the likely topic for Nitish's address, notwithstanding Salim's assertion that the symposium had nothing to do with the Lok Sabha polls and everything to do with Basu.

The invitation matters to allies who oppose the BJP. Nitish had expressed his anger with INDIA for not considering his suggestions during a JDU meeting. JDU officials claimed that Nitish was irritated by the "disarray" among important INDIA actors in developing a cohesive plan against the BJP. Perceiving his discontent, the Congress allegedly proposed Nitish as the coalition convener, a notion that was well accepted by the alliance's other members.

When Nitish travels to Calcutta, JDU sources were unable to clarify whether he will meet important Indian leader Mamata Banerjee, his counterpart from Bengal.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.