Lalu wary Nitish opens unofficial channel to BJP

“Fed up” with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar chief minister and JDU president Nitish Kumar is said to have opened “channels” with the BJP to explore alternative options. At present, Nitish is heading a coalition government of JDU, RJD and Congress in Bihar.

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 Delhi in order to work out the “reunion”. His father is also a well-known doctor in Patna and had contested the Lok Sabha elections from Patna Sahib.

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

In the House of 243 seats, RJD has 81 MLAs, while the JDU has only 70 and Congress 27. The BJP, which had been JDU’s alliance partner till three years ago, has 53 MLAs. The combined strength of JDU and BJP is 123, one more than what is require for a simple majority.