Kolkata: Though the occasion was the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar as chief minister of Bihar, the presence of other chief ministers of key states along with national leaders turned the event into possibly the first steps of forming an anti-BJP coalition.

Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan (grounds) was witness to a new camaraderie between politicians where chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee sharing stage with Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, Akhilesh Yadav of Uttar Pradesh along with Congress party Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar of Nationalistic Congress Party and Sitaram Yechuri general secretary of the Communist Party of India — Marxist (CPM).

“The elections results have not only stumped the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party], but also has shown that going forward the unity of the opposition is critical,” said Sharad Yadav of the JD (U), over phone.

However, Banerjee’s main intention was to present herself as the principal face of a probable alliance that may rise from the anti-BJP forces.

“She [Banerjee] is not a chief minister but a popular leader of country. She always has played a critical role in the central politics and will continue to do so,” said Firad Hakim, state urban development minister who has accompanied Banerjee to Patna.

Banerjee who has already urged prime minister Narendra Modi to call a chief minister’s convention as she protests against the budget cuts of the various social programs of the government by the central government.

“If he [Modi] does not consult the chief ministers, we will be forced to call a convention to present a unified protest against the central government,” said state minister Partha Chatterjee.

Trinamool Congress insiders say an understanding with JD (U) and RJD is a big possibility in the 2016 polls, which not only will give Banerjee national credence but will also ensure a lesser unity among anti-TMC forces in the state.

“We are looking at state-by-state. Three critical states go to polls next year one of which is West Bengal, Kerala and Assam. We have to stop BJP in all three,” said Purneet Mukhtar of the RJD, which has emerged as the largest party in Bihar.