Modi endorses Nitish ‘leadership’, but BJP may seek more berths from JD(U)

Narendra Modi’s unambiguous support for a fresh term for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar may have cleared the way for the latter to start his sixth term, but details regarding the new dispensation are yet to be worked out.

Sources in BJP said the PM’s endorsement — “we shall leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the promises made to the people of Bihar under the leadership of Nitishji” — should comfort the JD(U) chief and help him deal with any awkwardness about taking the reins of an alliance in which his party has far fewer seats than BJP, so far the junior partner.

The outgoing power-sharing arrangement, in keeping with JD(U)’s status as the senior partner with more MLAs than BJP, had favoured the former. Sources in the BJP, however, indicated the terms may have to be reworked, given BJP’s superior numbers. They said the party may seek more berths for itself.

The two sides have not yet got down to thrash out the nitty gritties of the new regime. But there was no clarity about other issues crucial to such power-sharing, details like apportionment of crucial portfolios and who gets the position of Speaker.

Talking to reporters in Patna, deputy CM Sushil Modi, while emphatic in his reiteration for Nitish continuing as CM, limited himself to saying that the new government may take office after Diwali.

BJP president J P Nadda discussed the Bihar results with Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday evening. No details were available.

Sources said power-sharing was not discussed with Nitish when Sushil Modi, general secretary Bhupendra Yadav and state health minister Mangal Pandey visited the CM just after results were declared on Tuesday.