Several leaders aren’t happy with the chief minister’s decision to walk out of the Grand Alliance and join hands with the BJP.
M I Khan reveals the latest from Bihar.
Backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Nitish Kumar returned as Bihar chief minister for the sixth time on Thursday, a day after he resigned dramatically.
However, the Janata Dal-United’s return to the National Democratic Alliance fold after four years by walking out of the Grand Alliance less than two years after being in power hasn’t gone down well, with party leaders from 20 states having decided to back former party president Sharad Yadav.
Sharad Yadav it is reported is unhappy with Nitish Kumar’s decision to quit the Grand Alliance -- comprising of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress.
On Monday, Yadav said that the turn of events in Bihar was “unfortunate”. He said the mandate given by the people was being violated. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Yadav said, “I don’t agree with the decision on Bihar, it’s unfortunate. The mandate by the people was not for this.”
A JD-U leader close to Sharad Yadav said to Rediff.com, “Angry over the developments, JD-U leaders will express their opposition by writing letters to Nitish Kumar.”
On Wednesday itself, two JD-U Rajya Sabha MPs – Anwar Ansari and Virender Kumar -- had spoke out against Nitish’s decision of aligning with the BJP. According to sources, both the leaders are in close touch with Sharad Yadav.
Sources have said that Sharad Yadav has met party leaders from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala and other states in the last three days after Nitish Kumar joined hands with the BJP,
On Sunday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad appealed to Sharad Yadav to undertake a nationwide tour to defeat “communal” forces that have fanned out in the country.
“Sharad Yadav was deeply hurt by Nitish Kumar’s decision without consulting the senior party leaders at a time when opposition unity was to be strengthened against the BJP. Sharad Yaadav has felt ignored and likely to take his final stand soon over the matter,” another JD-U leader said.
