'Announcement of JD-U's divorce from BJP anytime now'

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has begun consultations with senior Janata Dal-United leaders over continuing of ties with Bharatiya Janata Party after the anointment of Narendra Modi as its poll panel chief with a senior state minister claiming that the 'days of ties' between the two NDA partners seem to be numbered.

"Days of JD-U ties with BJP are numbered," a senior JD-U minister, who participated in the consultation, told PTI on condition of anonymity.

JD-U sources said the consultation will continue tonight as well and claimed that a 'big announcement' (severing of ties with BJP over Narendra Modi anointment) is expected 'any time'.

Kumar held talks with party president Sharad Yadav and other senior state JD-U leaders till late last night weighing the pros and cons of remaining in the alliance.

He also held talks with senior ministers in his cabinet like Bijendra Yadav, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Narendra Singh, Brishen Patel, Shayam Rajak and Rajya Sabha member and a close confidante R C P Singh.

Some independent MLAs are also being contacted for mustering support to the government in the event of BJP exiting the Nitish Kumar government, the sources claimed.

Kumar had said yesterday that JD-U will discuss all aspects of Modi's anointment and will spell out its stand soon.

JD-U has 118 MLAs in 243-member Bihar assembly and needs the support of only four more MLAs to reach the magic figure of 122.

The sources said the four-member CLP could also support the government in such a scenario. There are six independent MLAs in the house at present, BJP 91, RJD 22 and LJP and CPI one each.

Image: JD-U leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in consultation with senior party colleagues