‘Will never align with Nitish Kumar again’: Bihar BJP state executive adopts resolution

Asked about the BJP resolution, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, “What do we have to do with their decision? We have nothing to do with them.”

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Sushil Kumar Modi said, “Some senior JD(U) leaders had been floating rumours about Nitish Kumar’s return to NDA, which is totally misplaced. He is a spent force now. He has betrayed the mandate and also lost his power to convert votes. We welcome the central BJP leadership’s decision to never ever align with Nitish Kumar under any circumstances. This would boost the morale of the party towards forming a BJP government in Bihar in future.”

He said the party’s leadership was unanimous on “Nitish-free” Bihar now. “Nitish Kumar’s party (JD-U) was relegated to the number three position in Bihar with 43 seats in 2020 polls. JD(U) cannot win more than 10-15 seats on its strength in the next polls. Had PM Modi not campaigned for the JD(U) in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the party would not have won more than two seats. It was because of (Narendra) Modi’s campaign that the NDA won 39 seats, including JD(U)’s 16,” said the Rajya Sabha MP.

The immediate trigger for the BJP’s resolution is said to be senior JD(U) leader Upendra Kushwaha’s recent comments that some JD(U) leaders were in touch with the saffron party. Though Nitish had asked Kushwaha to reveal the names, the state politics was again abuzz with speculation of fresh political realignments.

A BJP source said, “We have to give clear message to our cadre. We have already started preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Amit Shah has already said Bihar BJP’s CM face would be declared soon after 2024 results.”