Bihar Crisis: Nitish Kumar Keeps BJP, I.N.D.I.A On Edge As Both Seek Clarity Over U-Turn 'Rumour'

The BJP, Congress, and RJD have sought clarity from Nitish Kumar over the speculation of him switching over to NDA.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is keeping both his 'frenemy' BJP and his alliance I.N.D.I.A on tenterhooks over his next move. While the JD-U chief has yet to confirm his next move, party sources said that he is likely to move to the NDA and retain the CM's chair.

However, JD-U's I.N.D.I.A partner Congress is not impressed with all the "secrecy". Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra on Friday said that Nitish Kumar is still part of the "united" Opposition alliance, but sought clarity on the situation. Mishra said, "The people in power should end this situation of confusion and bring clarity...For us, Nitishji is still a part of the I.N.D.I.A."

BJP MP Dilip Ghosh, too, said that he should clear the confusion. Taking a dig at the many U-turns and alliance switches of Nitish Kumar over his political career, Ghosh again called him 'Palturam' on Saturday. He said, "People want to know what Nitish Kumar is up to. Will he be a Palturam again, or will he stand by the expectations of the people?" Speaking on the RJD-JD(U) alliance, Ghosh said: "The problem is that neither can they work separately nor can they work together..."

The speculation around Nitish's return to the BJP-led NDA's fold gained after he made a cryptic remark about not promoting his family in politics. The remark was seen as a jibe at ally Lalu Yadav, whose son Tejashwi is the Deputy CM in the Nitish Cabinet. Nitish was already upset after being ignored over the I.N.D.I.A convener's post, after having brought together the alliance last year.

The speculation gained momentum after Lalu's daughter made some now-deleted cryptic posts, which were seen as targeting Nitish for his comments. Later, Tejashwi skipped high-tea at Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's home. When asked about Tejashwi's absence, Nitish curtly said: “Joh nahi aaye unse poochhiye (Ask those who did not come)."

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha however dismissed the evolving situation as a "rumour", but he, too, sough clarity from Kumar. The restlessness which has arisen due to this rumour can only be taken care of by CM Nitish Kumar... Bihar is a topic of discussion in the whole country, and for good reason. I don't see any rift. In the end, the head of this 'Mahagathbandhan' (Grand Alliance) is Nitish Kumar. Lalu Prasad and Tejaswi Yadav laid the foundation, the purpose of which was to defeat the hate politics being done by PM Modi."

JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar, however, said that there is no confusion and Nitish Kumar doesn't have to answer to anyone, "Nitish Kumarji is the elected CM of the state. He does not aspire for any post. Those who have confusion in their mind should know better." "There is no confusion among us. However, some people want clarification (from Nitish Kumar). I feel I am enough to provide clarity over this. Nitish Kumar is known only for his work and not for political manoeuvres," Neeraj Kumar said.