There has been no discussion in India Block yet on contacting TDP, JDU: Sharad Pawar

A day after the results of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 were declared, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said there has been no discussion within the Bharat Bloc yet on approaching the TDP or the JD(U) to increase the alliance’s numbers for government formation, reported news agency PTI.

His remarks came ahead of a meeting of Indian block leaders at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence this evening to deliberate on the 2024 Lok Sabha election results and whether to bring together the Janata Dal (United) (JD-U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to form a government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to form government for the third consecutive time as the BJP-led NDA won a majority in the Lok Sabha though it suffered a crushing defeat in three Hindi-speaking states in the last election which was seen as a referendum on his popularity.

Speaking on the Lok Sabha election results, 83-year-old Pawar told reporters that apart from resentment over the functioning of the Modi government, voters were also unhappy with its handling of issues like rising prices, farmers’ plight and rising unemployment, PTI reported.

When asked about approaching TDP or JD(U) to garner numbers for India Bloc, Pawar said no such discussion has taken place in the bloc yet.

“We have not talked about it yet,” he said, according to PTI.

He said the alliance leaders would meet on Wednesday and take a collective decision.

“I don’t have any personal opinion. Whatever decision we take, it will be a collective decision,” Pawar said, according to a PTI report.

The former Union minister is expected to play a key role in deciding the future direction or course of action of the opposition alliance.

His party NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) contested 10 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra and won eight.

(With inputs from PTI)