By DK Sinha
Patna: Amid speculation over the union cabinet expansion, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday reached New Delhi on a 3-day visit for the treatment of his cataract. On arrival in the national capital, Nitish said he has no idea about the cabinet expansion, a claim which is in contrast with what his party, the Janata Dal (U)’s president RCP Singh stated – that MPs from the party will definitely join the union cabinet.
The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal claims that the JD(U)’s partner in Bihar, the Bharatiya Janata Party, is not ready to give more than one berth to the JD (U) in the union cabinet but there are at least three MPs, who are insisting on their induction into the union cabinet. Besides Singh himself, two other MPs- Rajeev Ranjan Singh aka Lalan Singh and Santosh Kushwaha- are two other probables. But the matter will become more complex if JD (U) is not given portfolios of its choice.
Meanwhile, Nitish in his interaction with mediapersons in New Delhi, also claimed that JD (U) has no role in the present crisis in Lok Janashakti Party. But Congress, taking a dig at Nitish, said that he will thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support to the JD (U) in ‘splitting’ the LJP.
On the other hand, there seems no end to the ongoing tussle between LJP leaders – Chirag Paswan and his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras. Posters, depicting Chirag as ‘Abhimanyu’ and Paras as villain, cropped up in the state capital on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Chirag, apparently getting no support from the BJP, following revolt by uncle, may also go with the RJD. It is speculated that both Chirag and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav may join hands to fight their common enemy- Nitish Kumar.
The RJD and the LJP have entered into alliance in the past and there will be no surprise if they come together again to take on the mighty BJP-JD (U) alliance. Chirag openly blames Nitish for the revolt in his party and since BJP doesn’t want to take any risk and annoy Nitish by supporting him following the revolt by Paras, he is left with limited options. Chirag has asserted that more than 90 per cent of the national executive members are with him after all five other MPs of the party joined Pashupati Paras to divest him of key positions..
“Chirag is left with no alternative other than joining the grand alliance,” remarked senior RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari.
Chirag had fielded LJP candidates on all seats from where JD (U) was contesting state assembly election last year. In the process, JD (U) lost 25-30 seats, relegating it to the third position with 43 seats. BJP outperformed JD (U) by winning 74 seats.
