New Delhi/Kolkata/Patna: The political drama around the rise of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday threatened to impact Bihar, with the state’s ruling JD-U expected to snap its 17-year-old alliance with the BJP and the impending development triggering talk of a third front ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha polls.
Even while veteran BJP leader L K Advani is learnt to have launched a firefight by talking to Janata Dal-United (JD-U) stalwarts, the saffron party said it was prepared to sit in the opposition in Bihar.
In Kolkata, days after giving a call for a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. While Nitish Kumar virtually controls the JD-U, Patnaik heads Biju Janata Dal. Both are regional outfits.
In Patna, a JD-U leader indicated that the alliance with the BJP could be over soon.
“Only a formal announcement is to be made for snapping ties with the BJP,” said the leader, considered close to Nitish Kumar.
“Till late yesterday (Tuesday) night, a number of party leaders, including ministers, held discussions with Nitish Kumar at his official residence. It was decided to formally announce the end of ties with the BJP in next two to three days,” said the leader, who did not want to be named.
Another party leader said JD-U president Sharad Yadav will arrive in Patna by today or tomorrow for consultations with party leaders before a formal decision is made public.
JD-U leader and Bihar minister Shayam Razak told IANS that his party was discussing the issue in view of developments at the BJP conclave in Goa and later in Delhi.
He was referring to the prominent role given to Modi for the 2014 polls and Advani’s decision first to resign from all party posts, and later to stay on, bowing to pressure from the party.
Bihar Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh categorically said Modi was not acceptable to his party as the NDA’s prime ministerial candidate.
“We are against being part of the NDA under his leadership,” said Singh.
He said Modi was tainted by his involvement in 2002 Gujarat riots, and Advani was more preferred.
IANS
