Trying occasions for opposition: Nitish Kumar to move for Delhi on September 5, to satisfy non-BJP leaders

By PTI

PATNA: Amid the jolt brought on by 5 JD(U) MLAs in Manipur becoming a member of the BJP and the awful political state of affairs for the opposition within the nation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could be heading for Delhi on September 5 to satisfy political leaders from varied affiliations in a bid to forge opposition unity, senior get together leaders mentioned right here on Saturday.

They mentioned Kumar will return two days later and is anticipated to satisfy senior leaders of the Congress, which is now his ally within the state.

Notably, Kumar had been in contact with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi when he dumped the BJP final month.

The JD(U) chief, whose get together desires him to play a “national role” after having been the longest serving chief minister of Bihar, can also be more likely to work together along with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal who heads the Aam Aadmi Party. Another distinguished chief whom Kumar is more likely to meet is former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, whom he has identified since they have been each in Lok Dal.

Chautala is searching for to revive his Indian National Lok Dal by difficult the BJP which is ruling the northern state for the second consecutive time period.

Nitish Kumar vent his anger over the Manipur growth by accusing BJP of utilizing cash energy to poach legislators from different events.

Talking to reporters on the get together workplace right here, the place a two-day nationwide conclave is underway, Kumar who’s the de facto chief of the JD(U) questioned the propriety and constitutionality of the alleged poaching by the BJP.

“Is it correct? Is it constitutional? Is it according to established norms? They are doing so all over the place.

Hence all events should unite in 2024 for a optimistic mandate,” said Kumar who is being pitched for a “nationwide” function by his get together.

“When we have been in NDA, they (BJP) gave our MLAs nothing.

Now they’ve been gained over,” mentioned Kumar, in what seemed to be a reference to horse-trading.

ALSO READ | Nitish Kumar: Running sturdy regardless of twists and turns

The Manipur JD(U) MLAs switched sides round a month after Nitish Kumar ended his alliance with the BJP and shaped a recent authorities in Bihar with Mahagathbandhan comprising RJD, Congress, HAM and Left events.

Kumar mentioned the get together’s Manipur MLAs had confirmed their presence on the assembly, and had earlier backed JD(U)’s choice to give up the NDA.

Asked about studies that he will probably be visiting Delhi within the subsequent few days to satisfy high leaders and discover the prospects of opposition unity, Kumar replied within the affirmative however didn’t reveal particulars.

JD(U) nationwide president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan alleged that the BJP did in Manipur what it had “previously attempted in Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra”.

“Our MLAs in Manipur had defeated BJP candidates at the hustings. Ditto in Arunachal Pradesh where our MLAs were poached while we were still in NDA,” fumed Lalan.

In an announcement on Friday, Manipur meeting Secretary Ok Meghajit Singh mentioned that the Speaker accepted the merger of 5 JD(U) MLAs with the BJP, the ruling get together of the Northeastern state.

The growth comes as a humiliation for the get together which is holding its nationwide government assembly right here and making an attempt to undertaking the Bihar chief minister for an even bigger function in nationwide politics.

“Whatever tricks the BJP may play, it will not be able to stop JD(U) from becoming a national party by 2023,” asserted Lalan, who has been related to Nitish Kumar for almost 4 a long time.

ALSO READ | Power video games: Nitish Kumar prepares for the battle of Delhi

“The BJP should worry about itself. In 2015 assembly polls, none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed 42 rallies but the party could win only 53 seats in the 243-strong Bihar Vidhan Sabha. They should think of their fate in 2024 when the entire opposition will stand united against them,” he mentioned.

Referring to Modi’s current allegation that opposition events have been in a huddle to guard the corrupt, the JD(U) chief taunted: “What BJP is doing to other parties is ‘sadachar’ (virtuous act) but a joint fight against its brazen use of money power is ‘bhrashtachar’ (corruption). The prime minister has redefined these terms”.

He additionally bristled on the comment of BJP chief Sushil Kumar Modi that after Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, it was Bihar’s flip to change into “JDU-mukt” the place the get together may very well be cut up by its larger ally RJD of Lalu Prasad.

“Let Sushil Modi sell daydreams to his central leadership. It may help him to come out of political wilderness,” remarked Lalan.

PATNA: Amid the jolt brought on by 5 JD(U) MLAs in Manipur becoming a member of the BJP and the awful political state of affairs for the opposition within the nation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could be heading for Delhi on September 5 to satisfy political leaders from varied affiliations in a bid to forge opposition unity, senior get together leaders mentioned right here on Saturday.

They mentioned Kumar will return two days later and is anticipated to satisfy senior leaders of the Congress, which is now his ally within the state.

Notably, Kumar had been in contact with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi when he dumped the BJP final month.

The JD(U) chief, whose get together desires him to play a “national role” after having been the longest serving chief minister of Bihar, can also be more likely to work together along with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal who heads the Aam Aadmi Party. Another distinguished chief whom Kumar is more likely to meet is former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, whom he has identified since they have been each in Lok Dal.

Chautala is searching for to revive his Indian National Lok Dal by difficult the BJP which is ruling the northern state for the second consecutive time period.

Nitish Kumar vent his anger over the Manipur growth by accusing BJP of utilizing cash energy to poach legislators from different events.

Talking to reporters on the get together workplace right here, the place a two-day nationwide conclave is underway, Kumar who’s the de facto chief of the JD(U) questioned the propriety and constitutionality of the alleged poaching by the BJP.

“Is it correct? Is it constitutional? Is it according to established norms? They are doing so all over the place.

Hence all events should unite in 2024 for a optimistic mandate,” said Kumar who is being pitched for a “nationwide” function by his get together.

“When we have been in NDA, they (BJP) gave our MLAs nothing.

Now they’ve been gained over,” mentioned Kumar, in what seemed to be a reference to horse-trading.

ALSO READ | Nitish Kumar: Running sturdy regardless of twists and turns

The Manipur JD(U) MLAs switched sides round a month after Nitish Kumar ended his alliance with the BJP and shaped a recent authorities in Bihar with Mahagathbandhan comprising RJD, Congress, HAM and Left events.

Kumar mentioned the get together’s Manipur MLAs had confirmed their presence on the assembly, and had earlier backed JD(U)’s choice to give up the NDA.

Asked about studies that he will probably be visiting Delhi within the subsequent few days to satisfy high leaders and discover the prospects of opposition unity, Kumar replied within the affirmative however didn’t reveal particulars.

JD(U) nationwide president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan alleged that the BJP did in Manipur what it had “previously attempted in Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra”.

“Our MLAs in Manipur had defeated BJP candidates at the hustings. Ditto in Arunachal Pradesh where our MLAs were poached while we were still in NDA,” fumed Lalan.

In an announcement on Friday, Manipur meeting Secretary Ok Meghajit Singh mentioned that the Speaker accepted the merger of 5 JD(U) MLAs with the BJP, the ruling get together of the Northeastern state.

The growth comes as a humiliation for the get together which is holding its nationwide government assembly right here and making an attempt to undertaking the Bihar chief minister for an even bigger function in nationwide politics.

“Whatever tricks the BJP may play, it will not be able to stop JD(U) from becoming a national party by 2023,” asserted Lalan, who has been related to Nitish Kumar for almost 4 a long time.

ALSO READ | Power video games: Nitish Kumar prepares for the battle of Delhi

“The BJP should worry about itself. In 2015 assembly polls, none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed 42 rallies but the party could win only 53 seats in the 243-strong Bihar Vidhan Sabha. They should think of their fate in 2024 when the entire opposition will stand united against them,” he mentioned.

Referring to Modi’s current allegation that opposition events have been in a huddle to guard the corrupt, the JD(U) chief taunted: “What BJP is doing to other parties is ‘sadachar’ (virtuous act) but a joint fight against its brazen use of money power is ‘bhrashtachar’ (corruption). The prime minister has redefined these terms”.

He additionally bristled on the comment of BJP chief Sushil Kumar Modi that after Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, it was Bihar’s flip to change into “JDU-mukt” the place the get together may very well be cut up by its larger ally RJD of Lalu Prasad.

“Let Sushil Modi sell daydreams to his central leadership. It may help him to come out of political wilderness,” remarked Lalan.