NDA may be hit in JD(U)-LJP war of attrition

PATNA: LJP's relentless attack on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has not only fuelled speculation about its possible impact on NDA's poll performance but also put BJP in a spot, forcing the saffron party to call out 'rebel' LJP and strongly back the leadership of the JD(U) chief.


BJP state president Sanjay Jaiswal and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi along with Nitish clarified their stand vis a vis LJP in a joint press conference on Tuesday to announce their seat-sharing formula. "We have no confusion in our minds," Nitish said.


But LJP chief

Chirag Paswan

's sustained attack for over three months on the programmes and performance of Nitish and the stoic silence of the BJP brass had created a perception in political circles that the son of Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan was playing to a game plan chalked out with a "hidden agenda".

BJP leaders on Tuesday did not deny that LJP was a part of the NDA at the Centre. Jaiswal, in a damage control exercise, said only those who have faith in the leadership of Nitish will remain in the 'NDA in Bihar'. At the same time, it asked LJP not to use photographs of PM Modi for its electioneering or else they may have to move the Election Commission.

LJP's decision to field candidates against JD(U) in the three-phase Bihar election and Chirag's statement on Monday that his party will form the government with BJP in the state left JD(U) seething with anger against the young Paswan, who is projecting himself as a chief ministerial candidate with his 'Bihar first, Bihari first' slogan.

BJP's general secretary Devesh Kumar downplayed the fear of any damage to the NDA's prospects due to Chirag and reiterated the party stand that "it remains steadfast" in adhering to the coalition dharma.

RJD is enjoying the developments. "Now, NDA means 'negative and defective alliance'. Their cadres are confused. BJP and JD(U) will have to suffer irreparable damage in the polls," RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwary told TOI.