Amid the buzz that’s going on over a change of guard in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Chief Lalu Prasad and his son Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on January 19 called on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his official residence. All trio held a closed-door talk for about an hour. After the talk, Tejashwi Yadav said that there was no rift among alliance partners and also denied reports of Mr. Kumar switching back to the NDA fold.
The rumour started after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during an interview to a vernacular daily on January 16., said the party will think over if any proposal comes from those who departed NDA. His statement was viewed as an offer to Bihar Chief Minister and national president of Janata Dal-(United).
However, it was Mr. Shah who once said during addressing a rally in Bihar West Champaran district in February 2023 that BJP’s door had forever closed for Mr. Kumar while describing him Aya Ram Gaya Ram (Turncoat).
Asked about change of guard in Bihar, Mr. Yadav said, “You (media) people are free to say anything, why should I react on your assumptions. He is the Chief Minister, I am the Deputy Chief Minister, we keep meeting each other. Why do you people have any problem with it? I feel pity, the kind of question you all ask us. There is no truth in any change of guard and I do not need to give clarification every time.”
He further asserted that in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, BJP would be cleaned out and Mahagathbandhan will emerge as sole winner by winning all the seats.
“From day one when Lalu ji and Nitish ji have come under one umbrella, the BJP is in huge pain and you people are also becoming the partner of the saffron party,“ Mr. Yadav further said.
He hit back at reporters when quirred about the possible date of finalisation of seat-sharing talks in so called the INDIA bloc.
“I want to ask the media people, has seat sharing completed in BJP? On how many seats BJP is fighting in Bihar? Has seat sharing done in NDA? Why does the media not have the equal amount of inquisitiveness on seat sharing in NDA, why only INDIA alliance?” Mr. Yadav asked.
He also dismissed the rift within the alliance in Bihar pressing that Mahagathbandhan is united and all partners of the alliance will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha poll under the leadership of Mr. Kumar.
The rumour also caught momentum when a party insider said that JD(U) MLAs and Ministers have been instructed to remain in the State capital for next 72 hours.
Meanwhile, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a parallel meeting of its legislature party in which preparation for the Lok Sabha election was discussed. When asked about welcoming Mr. Kumar again, BJP state president Samrat Choudhary said if he (Mr. Yadav) wants to take the membership of BJP, he is most welcome.
On the other hand, head of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM-S) and former Chief Minister Jitan Manjhi posted on his official X asking his MLAs to remain in Patna till 25th January.
“Despite being in Delhi, I am keeping a close eye on the current political situation in Bihar. Keeping the political development in mind, I have asked all my MLAs to stay in Patna till 25thJanuary. Whatever happens will be in the interest of the State. Jai Bihar,” Mr. Manjhi’s post- said.
