Ever since the CBI raids conducted on former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and his family members, the mahagathbandhan in Bihar is facing a rough time.
The alliance between JD(U)–RJD and Congress is in fishy water and is likely on the verge of break up after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar demanded the resignation of Lalu’s kin Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. Tejashwi is also accused of being connected in the CBI case filed against Lalu and on this ground BJP along with Nitish had demanded his resignation.
Though both the parties, JD(U) and RJD have been repeatedly ensuring that the alliance will remain intact no matter what are the consequences of Tejashwi’s case. However, the recent meeting of Nitish Kumar with Lalu and Tejashwi speaks something else.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav met on Wednesday to discuss the connection of Tejaswi with the case. Just after the meeting, Lalu’s close associate Shivanand Tiwari ensured that the tension prevailing in the alliance is now over. But JD(U) leader Ajay Alok in his statement to TOI said that “We are neither aware nor concerned about what transpired between Nitish ji and Tejashwi on Tuesday. But, as a party, JD(U) is firm on an explanation from Tejashwi on the corruption charges against him… Zero tolerance on corruption is part of our common minimum program.”
Responding to the statement of Alok, Tiwari angrily commented back that it seems like, Nitish Kumar has made some deal with BJP and cannot stay away from power even for five minutes. Further defending Lalu he said that Lalu and Tejashwi had given enough explanations about the CBI charges on them and explanations about their wealth and now it is time for Nitish to explain about his relations with BJP to the people. Tiwari also alleged Nitish of maintaining silence over BJP offering its ‘helping hand’ to JD(U) if RJD backs out.
The allegations made by both the parties on each other is again raising the suspicion about the mahagathbandhan.