New Delhi: Bihar is set for political realignment with the Janata Dal (United) all set to break its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The acrimony between the two parties saw Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi skipping his office on Thursday and refusing to sign government files. Sushil Kumar Modi has clearly told his officers not to bring files to him for his signature. He has also cancelled all his government programmes.
The 17-year-old BJP-JD(U) alliance is on the verge of a breakdown after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's elevation to the Central Election Committee chief at the Goa National Executive. However, BJP President Rajnath Singh said he is trying that the alliance with the JD(U) in Bihar survives.
Sources said that Nitish has conveyed to the BJP leadership that he is left with no option but to leave the NDA. The Bihar Chief Minister is reportedly firm on his stand despite calls from BJP top brass.
With a formal split with the BJP appearing to be just a matter of time, Nitish has renewed efforts for a Third Front by trying to get Mamata Banerjee and Naveen Patnaik to join him. The Bihar Chief Minister has once again reiterated his claim for special state status - something on which his support to the Congress may depend on. The formal decision will be taken on this on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Nitish up the pressure on the NDA and said that he can't rule out the possibility of a Third Front. Hinting that the JD(U) could be open to supporting the Congress in future if the demand for Bihar's special status was met, Nitish said, "I can't say that it has taken a solid form yet but can't rule out the possibility in future.
Nitish said that his party is concerned about recent events in the BJP, the party with which the JD(U) is in alliance in Bihar, and will soon hold talks. He added that his concern is special status for his state just like Naveen Patnaik and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Nitish is confident of sailing through even if he splits from the BJP in Bihar. The process of garnering support in the Bihar Assembly is on so that JD(U) government stays in power in Bihar.
JD(U) leaders have reportedly been asked to contact independent MLAs and get their support. Three MLAs have already vouched to back the JD(U), say sources. The JD(U) is confident that the Congress will abstain from voting on any motion against the Nitish Kumar government.
Bihar Assembly
Total Seats - 243, Half way - 122
JD(U) - 119
BJP - 91
RJD - 22
LJP - 3
Congress - 4
Independents - 4
- The JD(U) has 119 MLAs, but one is a dissident
- If the JD(U) breaks ties with the BJP, it will be short by 4
- The JD(U) is hoping to get support from 3 out of 4 independent MLAs
- The JD(U) is banking on the Congress to abstain in case of voting
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