Bihar Cheif Minister Nitish Kumar with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and LJP Leader Ram Vilas Paswan
New Delhi: LJP on Sunday announced its decision to quit NDA and go solo during the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. At a meeting held in Delhi on Sunday, they have cited 'ideological differences" as the reason for the shift. However, speculations have arisen that the sudden shift may be a planned alliance with the BJP to hoodwink others.
LJP's failure in criticising BJP regarding seat negotiations has also sent confusing messages to many. A section of leaders in NDA has come to the assessment that BJP is using LJP as bait to seclude Nitesh Kumar and achieve the big-brother status in the NDA.
BJP has been living in the shadows of Niteesh until recently. However, that is not the case anymore. He is now seeking support from Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's election propaganda. Lok Janshakti Party's Chirag Paswan has a close alliance with the home minister, Amit Shah. Using Chirag's interest in ousting Niteesh to expand his personal growth in politics is being cleverly used by the BJP, says the leaders from these parties.
BJP has long been known for its smart tactics in overthrowing their jointLJP, BIhar allies and keeping its own leaders in the shadows for their own personal benefits. This is the same that is happening now in Bihar as well just like how BJP scrapped alliances with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, TDP in Andhra Pradesh and Akali Dal in Punjab. Statistics are also pointing that BJP will personally favour more benefits from the JDU-BJP alliance
(The report is originally published in Madhyamam Malayalam version. Translated by Fathima Shareef)