While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s move to support the BJP candidate for presidential polls raised questions about ‘Grand Alliance’, Kumar said that he would attend alliance partner Lalu Yadav’s anti-BJP rally “if invited”. At a worker’s party meeting, Kumar lashed out the Congress, saying that he would attend the Patna rally is invited, said party spokesman Sanjay Singh.
However, RJD, Lalu’s party has already publically invited Kumar for the ‘BJP hatao desh bachao’ (drive out the BJP and save the nation) rally.
Significantly, Kumar’s support for the BJP candidate for the upcoming presidential polls not only drew sharp criticism but also triggered an expectation of realignment in Bihar. Though this is not the first time the two partners have been on opposite side of a decision, they have contradicted on the question of the Centre’s flagship Goods and Services Tax.
Notably, the BJP’s conspiracy allegations against Lalu Yadav and his family have been said to be a source of embarrassment for the Chief Minister and a key reason for the deterioration in ties. Kumar however, has publicly shown support for Yadav and challenged the BJP to prove its charges.
Meanwhile, JD (U) General Secretary Shayam Razak told the media that JD-U as a party would not attend the event.
