Patna: Apparently vexed with behaviour of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appears to have made up his mind to desert Grand Alliance and join hands with BJP to form NDA government in the state in the next 20 hours.
Kumar who was upset with indifferent attitude of Congress towards him and not recognising his vital role in formation of opposition INDIA bloc, got further enraged when he was targeted by RJD on Thursday.
It so happened that the Chief Minister while addressing a function organised by his party JD(U) on Wednesday to mark birth centenary of former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, had obliquely slammed RJD Chief Lalu Prasad for promoting his sons in politics following which Rohini Acharya, daughter of Lalu posted comments against Kumar on X.
In her comment, Acharya dubbed Chief Minister as leader of no principle. She also indirectly targeted son of Kumar saying he had no talent to remain active in public life.
BJP taking advantage of anger and frustration of Kumar, sent signal to accept him in NDA. Those state BJP leaders opposing re-entry of Kumar in NDA, changed their stand after Central leadership prevailed on them to welcome him in NDA.
HAM patron Jeetan Ram Manjhi, LJP leader Chirag Paswan, and Rastriya Lok Janata Dal leader Upendra Kushwaha were also approached by BJP to pacify them for smooth re-entry of Kumar in NDA.
BJP and HAM legislature parties convened their meetings separately and discussed how to proceed further for formation of NDA government headed by Nitish. Both the parties would formally hand over support letter to Kumar to form next government in Bihar after his resignation and staking claim to form new government on Sunday.
BJP has 78 MLAs while HAM has 4 MLAs and with their support Kumar would easily in position to form government as his own party JD(U) has 45 MLAs, which would be sufficient to cross the magic number 122 required to form the government.
BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that party would hold another meeting on Sunday morning.
On the other hand, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has been authorised to take decision in prevailing political scenario. Lalu has asked all party MLAs to remain in Patna for next few days.
General Secretary of JD(U) K C Tyagi said that the opposition bloc INDIA was on verge of collapse due to irresponsible behaviour of Congress.
He blamed Congress for creating a situation in West Bengal and Punjab which virtually disintegrated INDIA bloc in both the states.
BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal are getting closer in Punjab, he pointed out. Attempt of Congress to get imposition of President's rule in West Bengal angered Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who refused to give permission to "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra" in her state, he added.
