Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s probably return to the BJP-led Nationwide Democratic Alliance might have a potential exit clause, ThePrint has learnt.
In keeping with Janata Dal (United) sources, Nitish will resign as CM Sunday and take oath for the ninth time probably by Monday. He’ll current an inventory of 128 MLAs, the sources added. “But after the Lok Sabha elections, the JDU will be given two ministerial berths in the Union government. Nitish will likely join the Union cabinet, leaving the CM post for a BJP leader,” a senior JD(U) chief advised ThePrint Saturday, including that the identical earlier method of ministry sharing — BJP will get two deputy CMs — will proceed.
JDU nationwide spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan confirmed to ThePrint that “the JDU MLAs will meet on Sunday”.
In the meantime, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Nitish Kumar’s present ally, additionally known as for an pressing assembly of its MLAs Saturday.
“We have been told to be present. So far, we have maintained utmost dignity. We have only asked the chief minister to clear his stand. But we are prepared to take any action, including withdrawal of support from the Nitish government,” RJD minister Samir Mahaseth advised ThePrint.
Different allies, such because the Congress and the CPI-ML, have additionally urged the CM to clear his stance.
However the indicators are evident. On Friday, Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav didn’t change a phrase on the Republic Day parade. Tejashwi skipped the excessive tea on the Governor’s home and his nameplate was faraway from his desk.
The Chief of Opposition within the meeting, Vijay Kumar Sinha, was seen interacting with the CM. The 2 had had a heated argument in meeting when Sinha was the Speaker between 2020 and 2022.
Nitish Kumar additionally refused to fulfill Lalu Prasad’s envoy, former MP Sivanand Tiwari. He has even stopped taking calls from Lalu, RJD sources advised ThePrint.
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A political profession of somersaults
Nitish Kumar, as soon as nicknamed ‘Paltu Ram’ by Lalu, has a protracted historical past of constructing U-turns in his political profession.
He began as an in depth ally of Lalu, who performed a key position in making him the CM in 1990. He made his first U-turn in 1994 when he break up with Lalu and fashioned the Samata Get together, alleging huge corruption and lawlessness in Bihar.
After a humiliating defeat within the 1995 meeting polls, he joined arms with the BJP, alongside along with his political mentor, the late George Fernandes.
He was sworn in as CM for the primary time in 2000 when he led a minority authorities for 11 days earlier than quitting.
His second U-turn got here in 2013 when he snapped ties with the BJP — the associate with whom he had taken oath as CM twice. The rationale he gave was the BJP making Narendra Modi its prime ministerial candidate.
After combating the 2014 Lok Sabha polls alone and being badly drubbed, he stepped down as CM, proudly owning ethical duty, and appointed Jitan Ram Manjhi.
However inside lower than a 12 months, he made one other U-turn and eliminated Manjhi to be sworn in as CM for the fourth time.
In 2015, he made one other U-turn by becoming a member of arms along with his arch political rival Lalu Prasad, and gained the Bihar meeting polls, taking oath as CM for the fifth time beneath the Grand Alliance.
However in 2017, he made one other U-turn by rejoining the BJP. This time, he cited the CBI cost sheet in opposition to Tejashwi Yadav within the IRCTC resort rip-off.
He took oath as CM for the sixth time as a associate of the NDA. The BJP allowed Nitish Kumar to proceed as CM regardless of the JDU solely successful 43 seats in opposition to the BJP’s 74 within the whole 243 meeting seats.
Nitish Kumar took oath for the seventh time in 2020. Once more in 2022, he made one other U-turn and joined the RJD, alleging that the BJP was out to complete off his social gathering. He took oath as Bihar CM for the eighth time that 12 months.
If he takes oath Monday, will probably be for the ninth time. However this time, the JD(U) has not given any cause for its switchover.
What’s prone to be the rationale
In keeping with JD(U) sources, this time the blame is prone to be on the INDIA bloc. The alliance was Nitish Kumar’s brainchild and its first assembly was held in Patna in June final 12 months.
“But after that, Nitish has been continuously ignored. He was ignored in meetings, the post of convenor was not given and even Lalu promoted Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate. His opposition to the name of the alliance was ignored,” one other senior JDU chief advised ThePrint.
“The final humiliation came in January when during a virtual meeting he (Nitish Kumar) was offered the post of convenor but it was pointed out that Mamata Banerjee opposed his elevation,” the chief added.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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