Nitish Kumar, supremo, Janata Dal (United) and chief minister of Bihar, is in talks with the BJP, according to political strategist Prashant Kishor, and if the need arises, he may decide to renew his coalition with the saffron camp. The JD(U), which cut relations with the BJP earlier this year to reinstate the Mahagathbandhan and the Lalu Prasad-led RJD to power, rejected the claims as false and aimed at causing confusion.
People who are believing that Nitish Kumar is actively forging a national alliance against the BJP will be startled to know that he has maintained a line open with the BJP through Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson and party MP Harivansh ji, shared Kishor, who is on a padyatra in Bihar, told news agency PTI.
Prior to being removed from the party in 2020, Kishor and Kumar used to be close friends. Even though the JD(U) has cut connections with the BJP, he claimed Harivansh has not been asked to resign from his Rajya Sabha position for this reason.
"People must keep this in mind that whenever such circumstances arise, he can go back to the BJP and work with it," he said.
Harivansh declined to comment on the situation, but according to his party, Kumar will never again work with the BJP.
The Bihar chief minister has openly said that he will never again work with the BJP, according to JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi.
"We strongly refute his claims. Kumar is in active politics for over 50 years and Kishor for six months. Kishor has made such a misleading comment to spread confusion," Tyagi said.
On October 2, Kishor started his "padyatra" from the Gandhi ashram in Betiharwa, West Champaran, in what is largely seen as a precursor to his recent foray into active politics.
After less than 18 months in the JD(U), he was expelled for criticising Kumar for his backing of the BJP in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
