New Delhi: It started with rumblings within Nitish-led Janata Dal (United) and Lalu-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance in Bihar and within days of growing differences, the tie-up is now headed for ‘break-up’, say reports.
There is growing buzz about fresh political realignment in the state. Reports claim that Nitish Kumar’s party is set to exit the mahagathbandhan alliance with RJD and join hands with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
Nitish Kumar’s meeting with Bihar Governor just days ago and a ‘thank you note’ to Prime Minister for conferring Bharat Ratna to Bihar’s late stalwart politician Karpuri Thakur has led to series of speculations about JD(U) chief’s fresh U-turn in the state.
Notably, the JD(U) has switched alliances between RJD & BJP multiple times since 2013, 5 times to be precise and another such ‘switchover’ is not ruled out given the ‘irreparable differences’ between the two ruling parties – JD (U) & RJD.
2 options before Nitish
Speculations are rife about Nitish Kumar’s likely switchover to BJP again, however, latter’s reluctance in ‘welcoming’ Bihar CM, this time, has made it little difficult.
Bihar BJP leaders say the party is not ready for second fiddle and this time, Nitish will have to sacrifice his chair in case of fresh BJP-JD(U) alliance. JD(U) leaders are tightlipped but internal sources reveal that party is also mulling chances of early elections by dissolving the House.
How JD(U)-RJD differences started
It all started with JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh allegedly preparing a future roadmap for the alliance, which foresaw Tejashwi Yadav as the eventual leader of alliance with Nitish taking a backseat from active politics. Lalan Singh’s failure to project Nitish Kumar as the convenor of INDIA bloc also went against him and this saw Nitish taking full command of govt as well as party at its National Executive meet.
BJP’s Bharat Ratna card drives a wedge
BJP government announced Bharat Ratna for Bihar’s former Chief Minister and one of tallest socialist leader Karpuri Thakur on his 100th birth anniversary. This has led to verbal sparring between Nitish Kumar and Lalu faction.
Addressing a program commemorating Karpuri Thakur’s birth anniversary, Nitish took a jibe at dynastic politics and boasted on his clean and baggage-less image. He asserted that he never promoted dynastic politics, apparently a jibe at ‘friend’ Lalu who has vowed to ‘settle their children’s career’ in politics.
Lalu’s daughter today sharply replied to Nitish’s jibe and took a scathing swipe at the Chief Minister.
