'Clear The Confusion': RJD Presses Nitish Kumar To Address Political Ambiguity In Bihar

RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha emphasised the need for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who leads the JD(U), to clarify rumours suggesting a possible return to the BJP-led NDA.

File Photo Of RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha

Source : PTI Images

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday called upon Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to address the prevailing ambiguity within the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state, expressing concerns about the "potential disruption to public life" caused by ongoing speculations.

Speaking to reporters, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha emphasised the need for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who leads the JD(U), to clarify rumours suggesting a possible return to the BJP-led NDA. Jha highlighted the joint efforts made to form a government with the objective of defeating the BJP, stressing that the current uncertainty is negatively impacting Bihar's public life.

"We formed a government together for the welfare of the people and to defeat the BJP. The prevailing confusion is affecting public life in Bihar. Only the chief minister can dispel the confusion. We hope he will do so by this evening," Jha was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

VIDEO | “I request our CM (Nitish Kumar) to clear all the doubts by the evening today. He is keeping a check on everything and only he can clear all the doubts,” says RJD MP @manojkjhadu amid buzz over Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s return to NDA. pic.twitter.com/llKdfQgWsb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 26, 2024

At 10, Circular Road, the residence shared by party president Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi and her husband, along with their younger son Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy CM, there was increased activity. According to a PTI report, an anonymous RJD leader outlined precautionary plans to prevent a repeat of historical events, referring to Kumar's previous shift from the RJD-Congress alliance to form a government with the BJP in 2017.

"We have plans in place to prevent Nitish Kumar from doing to us again what he did many years ago. Our party heads the Mahagathbandhan which is less than 20 seats short of the majority mark in the 243-strong assembly. With the speaker belonging to our party, we will cobble up the numbers," the party leader was quoted as saying by PTI.

The RJD leader mentioned the Mahagathbandhan's narrow majority in the 243-strong assembly, with their party holding the speaker's position, allowing them to manage the required numbers. Notably, Nitish Kumar rejoined the anti-BJP front in 2022, accusing the saffron party of attempting to create a rift within JD(U).

Amidst the ongoing political uncertainty, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended the Governor's high tea ceremony at the Raj Bhavan on Republic Day, while his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD skipped the event. Speculations persist about Nitish Kumar considering a split from the Mahagathbandhan to align once again with the BJP-led NDA.

Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi acknowledged his anticipation of the Mahagathbandhan's eventual dissolution, expressing a belief that the alliance would crumble. The political landscape in Bihar remains fluid, with speculations of Nitish Kumar's discontent within the Mahagathbandhan and potential realignment with the BJP-led NDA. JD(U) leaders, however, assert their firm commitment to the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc.