JDU remembers Gujarat in Patna, may quit NDA

Coming within a fortnight of an NDA declaration in Delhi that it will stay united for the coming Bihar assembly elections, today’s JD(U) resolution is indicative of its state unit’s increasing tilt towards Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janashakti Party (LJP).

Paswan, who had quit the NDA over the issue of Gujarat riots, has made it clear that the JD(U) would have to break ties with the BJP before he could consider aligning with it. Nitish himself has made no bones about how assiduously he is wooing Paswan, reiterating yesterday: ‘‘Even if Paswanji runs away, we will chase him and make him the state’s CM.’’

Today’s JD(U) resolution makes repeated reference to Gujarat riots and says not dismissing the Narendra Modi government there was a mistake. It also states that the RPF inquiry into the Godhra train fire had ruled out any conspiracy behind the incident. This is the first time Nitish, who was the railway minister at the time, has commented on the incident.

George Fernandes, who is considered close to the Sangh Parivar, was not present at today’s meeting. The NDA declaration reiterating unity had been piloted by Fernandes in his capacity as NDA convenor.

However, Nitish and other leaders of the JD(U) in Bihar are not so sure it’s the BJP they want to put their bet on. Talking about the issue earlier this week, Nitish had said: ‘‘Whatever is being told about alliances at this point is not final.’’