PATNA:In the state’s election year, politics in Bihar sends all the confusing signals to the voters. The three key players—Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad—are engaged in a love-hate relationship characterising the old saying that “politics is an art of possibilities” beyond comprehension. Nitish’s recent meeting with Modi has been interpreted as more than a “courtesy call” amid speculations that the RSS has asked BJP bigwigs to explore possibilities of hobnobbing with the JD(U) in Bihar. Political watchers see this as a move to alienate Nitish from his new-found ally Lalu who will be uncomfortable with any indication of the Bihar CM’s inclination towards the Right.
BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, however, rubbished reports of the BJP allying with Nitish and accused the JD(U) of planting such stories to enhance the importance of Nitish, who is losing his credibility after coming together with Lalu. “BJP will in no way go with Nitish who through such news wants to improve his bargaining position with RJD,” he said. The state unit of the BJP is in no mood to join hands with Nitish as they still consider him their political enemy number one.
Interestingly, when the just-resigned CM Jitan Ram Manjhi met the prime minister during the spiralling political turmoil in the state earlier this year, JD(U) alleged that it had political content. Manjhi had also claimed that he had met Modi to discuss development issues of the state.
Now, Nitish met Modi—whom he had avoided—and presented a memorandum to the prime minister for more financial aid. To allay the fears of his socialist friends, Nitish, however, met Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu, and even went to Tihar Jail in Delhi to meet INLD chief O P Chautala. He also had lunch with Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal. However, despite Nitish’s attempts to keep his friends close to his heart, a ‘Janata Parivar’ reunion still seems distant as none of the parties are showing any interest. Both Lalu and Nitish are going solo with their own political agendas.
Nitish’s alliance partner RJD was quick to respond to his meeting Modi. The party’s legislative party leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui said, “We have nothing to say about the chief minister’s meeting with the prime minister, but if (Nitish) Kumar meets BJP leader Modi then we will take it otherwise.” At a public meeting in Motihari in Bihar, Lalu said that no government in Bihar is possible without him. This was enough to send out a political message that the current Bihar government is continuing on the support of 25 RJD MLAs. Nitish’s return as CM could only happen with the support of Lalu and the JD(U) cannot risk annoying him.
“Lalu may not be able to transfer his Yadav votes in favour of Nitish as Yadavs have been consistently voting against him. On the other hand, Nitish’s voters are facing a similar dilemma,” said former JD(U) MP Shivanand Tiwari.
Scoffing at the rumours of Nitish getting closer to the BJP, RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha called it a pre-election propaganda to create a rift among secular parties and said, “Now no one can go back from their political stand at this stage. The merger move is on fast track.” Added JD(U) spokesperson Niraj Kumar, “Our alliance with RJD has given a spectacular result in the last by-election and this larger alliance is strong enough to give a challenge to BJP as the Modi wave is now over, particularly after the result of the Delhi elections.”
The current political atmosphere is considered a ploy by the saffron brigade to alienate Nitish further following a recent setback by Manjhi. Perhaps Manjhi had thought he would get the BJP’s support but is disillusioned as the party is still keeping him on tenterhooks.
With elections just a few months away, the political scenario appears to be in a fluid state. Perhaps this election may be fought purely on the alignment of political forces as none of the political icons is in a position to create a fresh wave in his favour; rather, some of them may be fighting for their political survival. What is certain that it will be the voters who will have a tough time choosing their candidate and party.