As Nitish Kumar Faces Floor Test Today, Signs of Cracks Emerge in JD(U) Ranks

According to RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha, the majority among the Dalit and Muslim MLAs of JD(U) will vote against Nitish Kumar in the floor test. The party has a total of 17 legislators from the two communities.

Updated: July 28, 2017 12:27 AM IST

By Mohammed Uzair Shaikh

As Nitish Kumar Faces Floor Test Today, Signs of Cracks Emerge in JD(U) Ranks
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

Patna, July 28: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to face the floor test in Bihar legislative assembly at 11 AM today. Ahead of the trust vote, signs of rift emerged in the Janata Dal (United) ranks, with a section of party lawmakers expressing their dissent against Nitish’s decision to re-align with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

JD(U) stalwart Sharad Yadav was visibly disappointed with Nitish’s move to break away from the grand alliance. Not only did Yadav skipped the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish, he also held an unscheduled meeting with Rahul Gandhi, the vice president of Congress – constituent of the Mahagathbandhan.

The dissident JD(U) MPs, including Arun Kumar, Sharad Yadav, Veerendra Kumar and Ali Anwar met on Thursday to discuss the party’s decision to return to NDA fold. Following the meet, Arun told reporters here that Sharad would be meeting Opposition leaders over the next 1 or 2 days. ALSO READ: Sharad Yadav ‘Concerned’ Over Nitish Kumar’s Decision, Will Meet Leaders of All National Parties, Says JD(U) MP

“Sharad ji is concerned over Nitish Kumar’s decision. In 1-2 days, Sharad ji will talk to senior leaders of all national parties,” he said, further adding that Yadav was kept out of loop by Nitish while stitching a coalition with the BJP.

Ali Anwar was more direct in his attack against Nitish, questioning the JD(U) chief over his tie-up with the “communal forces”. While speaking to ANI, he said, “If Nitish ji‘s soul compelled him to quit the grand alliance, my soul compels me to question why he joined hands with the BJP.”

Recalling the decision of Nitish to break ranks with BJP in 2012, Anwar added, “This is the same communal party from which we distanced away. What has changed since then?”

According to RJD, the rebellion in JD(U) ranks has also penetrated among the party legislators. “The outcome in assembly could be surprising. Several JD(U) MLAs, especially those hailing from Dalit and minority community, would back RJD. They can’t even face their assembly constituents because of what Nitish has done. They will not support the BJP-RSS agenda,” RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha said, while addressing the press.

Under the current electoral arrangement, Nitish is expected to pass the floor test with support of 132 MLAs – 71 from JDU and 58 from BJP and allies. The number of Dalit and Muslim MLAs in JD(U) add up to 17. In case of their rebellion, the JD(U)-BJP government would fail to cross the majority mark of 122.

Concern, however, looms for RJD as well, as signs of cracks have emerged from the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led party as well. RJD MLA Maheshwar Yadav already announced his decision to break ties with Lalu, assuring his support to Nitish in the floor test. “Affection of children and family makes a person weak in politics. Nitish Kumar walks alone and with honesty. That is why he is successful,” he said, hitting out at the alleged nepotism prevailing within RJD.

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