Sharad Pawar to be in Delhi on June 5, dismisses reports of speaking to JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said the INDIA alliance leaders will meet in Delhi on Wednesday to decide the future course of action while also stating that the Opposition bloc was not likely to form the government. This comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is leading on more than 290 seats and the Congress-led INDIA bloc has gained traction on over 227 seats, defying exit poll predictions.

"I spoke to Mallikarjun Kharge and Sitaram Yechury. The INDIA alliance meeting is likely to be held in Delhi tomorrow. Final decision is expected to be taken by this evening. Accordingly, I will be in Delhi," Pawar said.

To a question who would be the next prime minister, Pawar said, "We have not given it a thought."

"I am not sure if the INDIA alliance can form government. We will meet tomorrow and take a decision unanimously on the future course of action," he said.

Over speculations on social media of him speaking to JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar said "I have not spoken with anyone yet." The statement comes after INDIA bloc leader Sharad Pawar is in touch with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, say sources. Both Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar rejoined the NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

He also expressed satisfaction with his own party's performance, saying it contested ten seats and was ahead in seven.

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• Mallikarjun Kharge
• Sharad Pawar
• Sitaram Yechury
• Nitish Kumar