Politics

BJP-JDU Rift Buzz Grows Louder; As RJD, Left Express Support, Will Nitish Switch Loyalties Again? 10 Points

August 8, 2022
Bharat Times

Last Updated: August 08, 2022, 20:48 IST

Buzz over tension between allies BJP and JD(U) has gained momentum with Nitish Kumar skipping another central event on Sunday, Aug 7. (File photo: PTI)

Top JD(U) sources have told News18 that the alliance with BJP is ‘at a dead end’, adding that tomorrow’s meeting is crucial

A political storm is brewing in Bihar with allies BJP and JD(U) showing signs of going off the rails. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to take a big decision at a meeting tomorrow, August 9, where JD(U) MPs, MLAs and MLCs will be present.

Top JD(U) sources have told News18 that the alliance with BJP is “at a dead end”, adding that tomorrow’s meeting is crucial.

Amid reports of fissures between the two allies, RJD, which was in an alliance with JD(U) earlier, announced that it was ready to embrace Nitish Kumar and his JD(U) if he snapped ties with the BJP. Nitish had in 2017 pulled out of an alliance with RJD over corruption charges levelled against then deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav.

ALSO READ: RJD Calling? In 2017, Nitish Kumar Quit Pact Over Corruption. Taint on Lalu’s Party Has Only Deepened Since Then

Besides the RJD, The Left also announced support for Nitish if he broke ranks with the BJP.

With a big decision expected tomorrow, here are the key developments on this big political story:

  1. A day before Nitish’s key party meeting, JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi ruled out a division or split within the party. He said whatever decision would be taken by Nitish Kumar would be accepted by all. “Nitish Kumar is the undisputed leader of the JD(U). He commands respect in the rank and file of the party. Therefore there is no question of any kind of split in the party. Whatever decision is taken by the party under Nitish Kumar’s leadership will be accepted by everyone,” he said.
  2. JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan said that tomorrow’s meeting would discuss the scenario that has emerged following the exit of former national president RCP Singh. He, however, remained tight-lipped on the speculations about Kumar planning to walk out of the NDA.
  3. RCP Singh resigned from JD(U) two days ago after being served a notice seeking an explanation on allegations of corruption levelled by some JD(U) members, Singh’s induction into the Union cabinet last year was a bone of contention between BJP and Nitish as the decision was taken without Kumar’s consent.
  4. Nitish, who didn’t take kindly to the rising ambitions of his protege, denied RCP Singh another term at the Rajya Sabha.
  5. Nitish’s former ally RJD, meanwhile, announced support for him if he broke ties with the BJP. RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwary said that “if Nitish chooses to dump NDA, what choice do we have except to embrace him?” RJD is committed to fighting the BJP. If the chief minister decides to join this fight, we will have to take him along, said Tiwary.
  6. Asked about Nitish pulling out of an alliance with RJD in 2017 citing corruption against Lalu Prasad and his family members, Tiwary said “in politics, we cannot remain prisoners of the past. We socialists had started off opposing the Congress which was then in power. But, even the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi was imposed invoking the Constitution”.
  7. Apart from the RJD, the Left also said it would extend support to the JD(U) if Nitish ditched the BJP. The CPIML(L), the largest Left party in Bihar with 12 MLAs, said that it “will extend a helping hand” if JD(U) snapped its alliance with the BJP and set up or join a new coalition. The CPI(M) – the larger party nationally but with two legislators in the state – felt that “if a new alignment were to take place, it would be a positive development”.
  8. Meanwhile, AICC national secretary and MLA Shakil Ahmed Khan said whatever was happening in Bihar was shubh sanket (a good sign) as the BJP is getting a dose of its own medicine.
  9. Sources privy to the developments have told News18 that Nitish Kumar had dialled Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday and has sought time to meet her. But Khan declined to comment on this.
  10. BJP, meanwhile, is on a wait-and-watch mode with sources in the party saying that it will not open its cards till a decision is taken by the JD(U). Sources also said that there will not be any attempt to break the JD(U).

(With PTI inputs)

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