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BJP prepares to go without JD(U) in 2014

The war of words between the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took many turns, with the JD(U)  having issues with Narendra Modi's prime ministerial ambition and then the BJP supporting P A Sangma in the presidential election. But, the differences between the two constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have escalated to such an extent that the BJP is now contemplating a future without the JD(U), especially with the General Election of 2014 in mind.

'We are considering the possibility that we might fight the General Election alone in 2014 and have already started preparations in this regard,' said a BJP leader, who is familiar with the politics of Bihar.

Things began to sour between the two NDA partners when the Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said that his party would want a secular prime ministerial candidate.

However, the BJP does admit that the electoral prospects of both the parties will be hampered if the alliance is broken. 'Both parties will suffer a dent in their numbers if elections are fought independently,' says the BJP leader.

While the crisis between the two parties has deepened and the BJP might go alone in the 2014 election, it is unlikely that the alliance will see a break up in Bihar any time soon. In the 243-member assembly, the JD(U) has 115 MLAs, while the BJP has, thus making the continuation of the alliance necessary.

Sources say that the BJP might have an alliance with the former JD(U) rebel Upendrak Kushwaha of the Bihar Nav Nirman Manch. There are about 3.5 per cent Kushwaha votes in the state and the BJP leaders are of the view that they will be able to take on Nitish Kumar if they can tap into the Kushwaha vote bank.
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