Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday called on his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar, triggering speculation about Nitish’s renewed efforts to unite the Opposition parties. However, both the CMs claimed that no discussion on any political alliance between the JD(U) and the BJD for the Lok Sabha elections next year was held in the hour-long meeting.

After meeting Patnaik, Nitish is now likely to call on Maharashtra stalwarts Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray later this week, sources in the JD(U) said here.

Patnaik and Kumar had lunch at the Odisha CM’s residence and then jointly addressed the media, stating they share a very old relationship. “No discussion was held on any alliance today. I am delighted that Nitish ji came to Bhubaneswar”, Patnaik told reporters.

“We are old friends and colleagues ever since we served in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet,” he said.

Patnaik said the Odisha government will provide 1.5 acres of land to Bihar government free of cost in Puri for building facilities for tourists coming for darshan of Lord Jagannath.

Patnaik shared some photographs from the meeting, and tweeted: “Glad to meet #Bihar Chief Minister Shri @NitishKumar in #Bhubaneswar. #Odisha shares a special bond with Bihar and the people of the neighbouring state. Hope he had a pleasant and fruitful stay in Odisha.”

Nitish said, “Our relation with his (Naveen) father Biju Babu and Naveen ji is very old. Due to the COVID pandemic, we could not meet. No political discussions were held. We have good relations and there is no need to discuss any politics.”

The denial of both leaders of discussing politics comes amid talks of unity among non-BJP parties ahead of next year’s polls.

The Bihar CM, who is trying to unite anti-BJP politicians, have so far met leaders of various parties including his West Bengal counterpart and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with the aim to form an Opposition front.