Patna: Political discussions in Bihar have intensified after Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh publicly invited Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar to join the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan.
Speaking to reporters on September 18, Singh said Nitish Kumar has historically been associated with socialist politics and argued that his political place should be with parties representing that ideology. He also claimed that differences within the NDA had increased.
The Congress leader’s remarks came after RJD leader Bhai Virendra had also publicly invited JD(U) to leave the NDA and join the Mahagathbandhan. The RJD’s invitation was made amid a wider political debate in Bihar over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
No confirmation from Nitish Kumar
- Despite the invitations from opposition leaders, there has been no public announcement from Nitish Kumar confirming that he intends to leave the NDA or join the Mahagathbandhan.
- Nitish Kumar’s latest reported public political activity was related to a JD(U) orientation programme for newly elected legislators. He inaugurated the programme at the party’s state headquarters in Patna on September 18. The programme focused on legislative responsibilities, law making procedures, the state budget and Bihar’s economy and finances.
- JD(U) had also described the programme as an orientation exercise and rejected speculation that it was being held to announce a major political decision.
NDA maintains its position
- BJP leaders have meanwhile rejected speculation about a possible change in the NDA’s political equation in Bihar. Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi said the NDA remains united and dismissed the RJD and Congress outreach to Nitish Kumar.
- Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also said Nitish Kumar remains an important NDA leader. His comments, however, are the BJP leader’s assessment and not a direct statement from Nitish Kumar about the alliance question.
Political situation remains unchanged officially
- For now, the public record shows invitations from RJD and Congress for Nitish Kumar to return to the Mahagathbandhan, while JD(U) has made no official announcement accepting those offers.
- The ongoing debate over the UCC and differences raised by opposition parties have added to political speculation in Bihar, but any change in Nitish Kumar’s alliance position would require an official announcement from him or the JD(U).
