Is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar gearing up to spring a googly at its ally BJP?
Will he ditch the bigger partner in Bihar alliance for a shot at the President's post?
Nitish Kumar's dinner meet with poll strategist Prashant Kishor has set the rumour mill abuzz with speculations on a major political shake-up after the results of Assembly elections in five states.
There is speculation that in case of an unfavourable result for the BJP in the state elections, Nitish Kumar may snap ties with the BJP to be the joint opposition candidate in Presidential polls likely to be held in June-July this year.
A loss for BJP in UP and Uttarakhand is likely to give fillip to opposition ranks in the Presidential contest.
While both Prashant Kishor and Nitish Kumar described the meeting as a courtesy call, but the political symbolism was not lost on anyone given Kishor's efforts to bring opposition together against the BJP.
Since coming back to power with a diminished strength, Nitish Kumar has been facing criticism from BJP leaders on a number of issues.
The meeting has also come amid efforts by Telangana CM K Chandrashekhara Rao and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to firm up an alliance of regional outfits against the BJP for the 2024 battle.
KCR recently had a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and is slated to meet Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
A grand meet of opposition CMs is also being in Delhi after the Assembly election results on March 10.