BJP distances itself from Bihar crisis

Terming the present political situation in Bihar as “an internal matter of JD(U)”, BJP on Thursday said it has nothing to do with it and will take a decision on whether to support chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on not only on the floor of the assembly when the matter is taken up. 

Attacking JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar for being responsible for the current situation, BJP said it is due to his “craving for power” which has turned him from being the “PM-in-waiting” to a “CM-in-waiting” now. 

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said Kumar should wait for the decision of the governor who will act as per constitutional provisions and law, and not point fingers at a Constitutional authority. 

“BJP feels that the state assembly has been convened on February 20 and chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi will have to prove his majority on the floor of the House. BJP expects that Nitish Kumar should have faith on constitutional authorities and wait. 

“He is craving to become the chief minister and seems to be in a hurry. When Manjhi will be asked to prove his majority, BJP will take its decision on the floor of the House. BJP has all its options open,” Hussain said.  The BJP leader also questioned the validity of Kumar coming to Delhi and parading the MLAs in his support when the court has not yet upheld the “certificate” given to him by the Speaker on his being elected as leader of the JD(U) legislature party. 

“Due to his craving for power, Kumar broke the alliance with BJP to fulfil his aspirations to be Prime Minister when the Third Front did not name him as their prime ministerial nominee in Lok Sabha polls. From being a PM-in-waiting, he has become the CM-in-waiting now,” Hussain said. 

He also said Kumar should not divert the internal strife within JD(U) towards the BJP as his party has nothing to do with it. The BJP leader said the camps of Kumar and Manjhi are making claims and counter-claims and as per law the majority of the chief minister or any leader will be decided on the floor of the House.  The BJP also attacked Kumar for not having the mandate to rule as he lost the same the moment he broke the alliance with BJP, to whom the people of Bihar had given their mandate. “Nitish Kumar is moving around with Lalu Prasad and the country knows what Lalu is a symbol of...,” he said.