NEW DELHI: Taking exception to Bihar BJP state unit chief Nityanand Rai’s alleged statement that the saffron party was ready to provide external support to Janata Dal (U) in case Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) moved out of the grand alliance, the party has cautioned Rai against making such remarks.
Apparently choosing to adopt the role of a ‘fence-sitter’, the BJP has asked Rai not to speak on matters which require concurrence of the central leadership. While one of the national general secretaries of the BJP claimed that Rai had been misquoted by the media on remarks that the BJP was ready to extend support to the JD (U), sources said that the Bihar unit chief had been cautioned. Rai was appointed the BJP state unit chief last year, after his predecessor Mangal Pandel served two terms. With the JD (U) and RJD apparently locked in a situation where the deputy chief minister Tejaswi Yadav has been asked to come clear on corruption charges levelled by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate, the BJP is opting to watch the proceedings from outside the fence.
“The issue is of graft charge levelled against the deputy chief minister Tejaswi Yadav. The BJP stands against corruption. The Bihar chief minister has to clear his stand on the fight against corruption. There is no question as of now about any other issue,” said the BJP general secretary when asked what the saffron party would do in the event of Kumar snapping ties with the RJD.