Observer Says NasDem-PDIP Relations Are Less Liquid, Opportunity For Anies-Puan Duet Is Small

NasDem chairman Surya Paloh shakes hands with PDI-P DPP Chair Puan Maharani/DOK PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The NasDem Party opened the opportunity to cooperate with PDIP in the 2024 General Election after a meeting at the NasDem DPP office. NasDem also opened up the opportunity to pair Anies Baswedan and Puan Maharani in the 2024 presidential election.

Esa Unggul University political communication observer Jamiluddin Ritonga, assessed that it was unlikely that NasDem and PDIP would pair Anies Baswedan-Puan Maharani.

Because, according to him, the chairman of the PDIP DPP has not yet entered the radar of NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh as a presidential candidate or vice presidential candidate from his party.

"It is unlikely that Surya Paloh will pair Anies-Puan in the 2024 presidential election. Because Puan's name has not been on Nasdem's radar all this time," Jamiluddin Ritonga told reporters, Tuesday, August 23.

Jamiluddin then highlighted the relationship between Surya Paloh and Megawati. In Jamiluddin's view, the relationship between the two political party officials has yet to thaw.

"So far, the relationship between Surya Paloh and Megawati Soekarnoputri has not been liquidated. Therefore, it is unlikely that the two parties will form a coalition, including in carrying Anies-Puan," he explained.

Not to mention the PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto's statement that his party is ready to form a coalition with parties supporting the government. However, said Jamiluddin, NasDem was not included in Hasto's statement.

“Hasto didn't mention NasDem. This means that PDIP is unlikely to form a coalition with NasDem in the 2024 presidential election," he said.

Therefore, Jamiluddin considered that the warm meeting between Surya Paloh and Puan Maharani, Monday, August 22, was merely a political gimmick. Because he said, the warm atmosphere was also shown when other political parties visited the NasDem tower. For example, when the chairman of the Democrats, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, visited.

“Surya Paloh as the host just wants to show his hospitality. Therefore, if Surya Paloh stated that Puan was included in the presidential candidate's radar, it would certainly strengthen political pleasantries. Because NasDem itself only offered Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, and Andika as presidential candidates," said Jamiluddin.