Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, October 6
Nitish Kumar’s strong resentment propelled the BJP leaders to maintain a distance with LJP Chief Chirag Paswan who had launched a vocal campaign against the Bihar Chief Minister.
The political circle in the state was buzzed with the reports that Chirag was acting as the behest of BJP leaders who wanted to curtail the clout of Nitish Kumar.
The issue took a grave proportion that forced Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP general secretary in-charge for Bihar Bhupinder Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and BJP state President Jaiswal to rush to the CM House soon after landing in Patna from New Delhi.
During the 90-minute meeting, Nitish reportedly asked the BJP leaders to clarify their stand on Chirag Paswan’s attack on him for the last couple of days. Following pressure from the JDU leaders, the joint press conference of BJP-JDU for release of list of candidates got delayed for two hours.
The state BJP President clarified party’s stand on LJP and said Nitish was the NDA leader in Bihar and would be the CM face of the alliance. “Those who are opposed to the leadership of Nitish Kumar should leave NDA,” he said without naming anyone.
In a stern warning, the party also said LJP should not use photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in posters, banners and speeches during the campaign. “BJP will complain to the Election Commission if the warning is ignored,” Jaiswal added.
LJP spokesman reacted by saying Chirag Paswan was praising Narendra Modi for his development works. Modi is PM of the country and shall not be seen only as a BJP leader.
Jaiswal went further and said all decisions in Bihar NDA were taken by Nitish Kumar and BJP was fully with him. BJP would work for making Nitish CM once again. Health of Ram Vilas Paswan is not good, otherwise this situation could have been avoided, Jaiswal said, questioning the leadership of Chirag.
BJP would not seek support of LJP during the campaign, he clarified. LJP has decided to field its candidates in 143 constituencies including 122 where JDU has set up its nominees.BJP leaders would not campaign for BJP either.
Chirag later said Nitish Kumar had failed as CM of Bihar in the last 15 years. “I have full faith in the leadership of Narendra Modi and I hope Bihar will get a double engine government of BJP and LJP in November,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Rajendra Singh, who is vice-president of the party in Bihar today joined LJP and announced he would contest the assembly elections from Dinara in Rohtas district. His claim was rejected by BJP as the seat was allotted to JDU’s candidate Jaikumar Singh.
Rajendra Singh is a top RSS leader and was general secretary (organisation) deputed in Jharkhand unit.
