Election in Bihar: Nitish Kumar said “whoever is with the BJP is also with me”
Patna:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has indicated he will take a wait-and-see approach to possible realignment moves by any ally for election to the assembly next month amid the coronavirus crisis.
Speaking at an event today, Janata Dal United chief said he “doesn’t care” what alliance partner Chirag Paswan, who heads the Lok Janshakti party, did behind his back. .
“I don’t care what people say. I focus on my programs,” Nitish Kumar told reporters today. “We want all voters in the NDA to fight the elections together and win,” he said.
Chirag Paswan had asked the Electoral Commission to postpone the poll due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a request that rhymes with what the opposition had demanded. Chirag Paswan’s party had also threatened to field candidates against Nitish Kumar’s party in the assembly elections.
The son of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan remains so far unengaged in the alliance for the electoral battle, although BJP leader JP Nadda has said that all partners of the National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) in Bihar would conduct the elections together.
Bihar’s NDA includes Janata Dal United, BJP, Lok Janshakti party and Hindustani Awam Morcha of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who recently left the opposition alliance.
Nitish Kumar said today that any discussion with Chirag Paswan about sharing seats will be handled by the BJP. “Anyone who is with the BJP is also with me,” Nitish Kumar said, adding that Jitan Ram Manjhi’s return to the alliance was also overseen by him, but only after taking BJP with confidence.
Another issue that might involve advice from Nitish Kumar is Rashtriya Lok Samata party leader Upendra Kushwaha, who sends feelers he seeks to return to the NDA. Nitish Kumar, however, said the issue of Upendra Kushwaha’s possible return is an appeal that must be taken by the BJP, “not by me.”
Bihar is due to elect a new assembly of 243 members by November 29.
The opposition, led by Lalu Yadav’s son Tejashwi Yadav, plans to target the ruling coalition for its handling of the coronavirus crisis and the migrant crisis, in addition to flooding in the state. The centre’s controversial farm bills, passed in parliament despite opposition protests, have also armed Tejashwi Yadav with a campaign pitch to target what he calls an “anti-farm” government. This morning, he drove a tractor on a demonstration to return home.
