Nitish opens channel of communication with BJP

Though nobody is saying it officially, The Sunday Guardian has learnt from reliable sources that a senior JDU leader, who is a doctor by profession, is “hobnobbing” with BJP leaders in New Delhi in order to work out a “reunion”. His father is also a well-known doctor in Patna and had contested the Lok Sabha elections from Patna Sahib.

“The party (JDU) has also scaled down its aggressive stance against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP at large. You can see the difference in the tone of spokespersons Rajeev Ranjan and Ajay Alok against Narendra Modi,” the source pointed out.

The BJP, too, has indicated its “warmth” for Nitish Kumar and JDU. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has included JDU leaders Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav and Harivansh (Rajya Sabha MP), in the 149-member national-level committee to celebrate the founder of Jan Sangh, Deendayal Upadhyay’s birth centenary.

“This is quite significant as Kumar had been talking about ‘RSS Mukt Bharat’ for quite some time. And now he has agreed to become part of the centenary celebrations of a leader who has been a pracharak of RSS,” the source added. 

Interestingly, no Congress leader is there in the committee, although former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar have been included.

Trouble has been brewing in the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) for quite some time. Nitish Kumar is not getting a free hand due to Lalu Yadav’s interference on many issues. There have been instances when Kumar shot down Yadav’s suggestions or proposals, which has led to the souring of relations within the alliance. In a 243-member Assembly, RJD has 81 MLAs, while the JDU has only 70 and Congress 27. The BJP, which was JDU’s alliance partner until three years ago, has 53 MLAs. The combined strength of JDU and BJP is 123, one more than what is required for a simple majority. Sources also pointed out that Bihar was the first non-NDA state to ratify the constitutional amendment bill to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This way, Kumar sent a message to the BJP that he was ready to have “workable relations” with the NDA government at the Centre. Nitish Kumar had turbulent relations with the BJP for about three years.

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Dr Ajoy Alok of the Janata Dal United responded to this article:

Sir,

I am writing to express my anguish over the article published in your newspaper dated 23 October by Mr Navtan Kumar who claims I am hobnobbing with the BJP on behalf of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for a reunion. This is absurd and malicious. Without having any basis how can a reputed newspaper like yours run this article?

Dr Ajoy Alok

Janata Dal United