'Operation Lotus' In Bihar? RCP Singh In Contact With JDU MLAs Amid Rumours Of Split With BJP

Bihar Politics: If the speculation holds true, JD(U) faces the challenge of preventing a Shiv Sena-like split besides its alleged bid to stitch an alliance with ally-turned-foe RJD and the Congress.

RCP Singh (R) was considered to be very close to Nitish Kumar (L) but after resigning, he hit out at Nitish Kumar's prime ministerial ambitions.

Source : PTI | Getty Images

New Delhi: As the political situation in Bihar gains centre stage due to an alleged rift in the ruling alliance of Janta Dal-United and Bharatiya Janata Party, speculations are rife that the saffron party is looking to repeat its Maharashtra formula to replace the Nitish Kumar government.

Tensions surfaced in the ruling Bihar alliance as former union minister RCP Singh, who had quit the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to join JD(U) 12 years ago, announced his resignation from the party on Saturday.

RCP Singh was denied a Rajya Sabha nomination recently, JD(U) also pointed out that he accepted a cabinet birth in the union government without discussing the same with the party.

His resignation came hours after a letter served on him by the party leadership seeking an explanation about allegations of corruption got circulated in the media.

Now, according to sources, RCP Singh is in touch with several JD(U) MLAs and it is believed there is a possibility of the BJP repeating its Maharashtra formula in Bihar.

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If the speculation holds true, JD(U) faces the challenge of preventing a Shiv Sena-like split besides its alleged bid to stitch an alliance with ally-turned-foe RJD and the Congress.

RCP Singh was considered to be very close to Nitish Kumar but after resigning, he hit out at Nitish Kumar's prime ministerial ambitions remarking, "He will not become (the PM) even if he were to be reborn seven times."

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Calls Meeting Of JD(U) MLAs, MPs On Tuesday 

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called a meeting of all Janata Dal (United) MLAs and MPs on Tuesday, fueling speculation that the party may break the alliance with the BJP.

According to sources, the meeting called by CM Nitish Kumar will decide the future of the ruling alliance in the state. There is a possibility of major political upheaval in the JD(U)-BJP-ruled state in the next 48 hours. 

Nitish Kumar Contacted Sonia Gandhi?

JD(U) on Sunday rebuffed speculations of a rift with ally BJP asserting “all is well” as it also stated that the party will not join the Union council of ministers, news agency PTI reported. However, the assurance has not done much to stop the speculation of JD(U) exiting the ruling alliance as reports of CM Nitish contacting Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi also surfaced.

According to sources, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar spoke to Congress President Sonia Gandhi as there is now speculation that the JD(U) may go with the Congress after breaking away from the BJP. JD(U), RJD, and Congress have reportedly called a meeting of their respective legislature parties.

Seats In Bihar

There are 243 seats in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and 122 seats are needed for a majority. NDA had won 125 seats in the last election. BJP has the maximum number of 74 MLAs and JD(U), which is part of NDA, has 43 seats. The 'Maha Gathbandhan' of the Congress and the RJD secured 110 seats.

In case of a split in the ruling alliance, the BJP will need 48 more MLAs to retain power on its own.

JD(U) vs BJP Over Next Polls?

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar skipping the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday raised eyebrows.

Of late, the gap between BJP and JD(U) appeared to be widening. News agency IANS reported sources as saying that Nitish Kumar is not happy with the BJP's Prawas programme in 200 Assembly constituencies of Bihar.

IANS Sources said that the BJP wanted to give out a message that it will contest all 243 assembly seats in future elections. In response to it, JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said that his party is also preparing for 243 seats.

In the past, CM Nitish Kumar had questioned the parameters on which Niti Aayog evaluated the development works of a particular state. Niti Aayog, in its report, had placed Bihar at the bottom of the development index in the country. This could be another reason for skipping the meeting of the Aayog.

(With Agency Inputs)