As JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for the sixth time on 27 July with the BJP's support, the rift within his party was apparent. Senior JD(U) MP Ali Anwar voiced his discontent with the decision to ally with the BJP.
"My conscience does not allow me to support Nitish Kumar's decision to form the government with the BJP," he told ANI.
Nitish Kumar’s listened to his soul and decided to ally with the BJP. My conscience does not allow me to support Nitish Kumar’s decision. I will voice my opinion in the party if I get an opportunity.
Catch all the live updates of the Bihar political drama here.
Moreover, the MP brought up the issue of communalism in an interview with CNN News 18. He was quoted as saying:
While Nitish Kumar has been clear with his stand against corruption since the beginning, he also had another stand - to fight against communalism. If we see any agreement with that on his part, then we have to take a decision.
Sharad Yadav Unhappy?
Meanwhile, JD(U) senior leader Sharad Yadav was conspicuous by his absence at the oath-taking ceremony, leading many to speculate that he was unhappy with the sudden political realignment in the state.
Citing sources, CNN-News 18 said that Sharad Yadav, who has expressed his displeasure against the central government, may be offered a post in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet in order to “pacify” him. The 70-year-old former JD(U) chief is currently in Delhi.
Yadav has been vocal about the party’s stand against the BJP as well as PM Modi.
Yadav called for a meeting with JD(U) MPs at 5 pm on 27 July. According to media reports, he has met Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
“Nitish Has Cheated Us”
Rahul Gandhi lashed out against Nitish Kumar for siding with "communal, divisive powers".
His mandate was anti-communal. He (Nitish) promised the people of Bihar that he will not join hands with the communal, divisive powers in the country. Nitish Kumar has cheated us.
The political firestorm in Bihar began after Nitish announced his resignation as CM on 26 July, in the context of corruption allegations against RJD chief Lalu Yadav's son Tejashwi Yadav.
Moments after the Mahagathbandhan crumbled, it came to light that the JD(U) would form the government with the BJP's support. Lo and behold, on the morning of 27 July, the JD(U)-BJP combine came to power with Nitish Kumar as CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi as deputy CM.
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