A political row has erupted in Bihar politics after JD(U) president Sharad Yadav on Friday blamed both Nitish Kumar and lalu Prasad for pursuing caste politics and apologised to the people for bringing both of them into power.
Reacting over Sharad Yadav’s comment which has caused an embarrassing situation for his partymen, State JD(U) leader Bhim Singh said that Nitish Kumar always believed in development politics and not in caste politics. Though, he couldn’t explain why his party president has made such a statement against Nitish.
At a time when the political parties have been putting all their efforts in the poll campaign, Sharad Yadav’s statement has descended fire upon Nitish Kumar and his party. “Now Sharad Yadav has revealed the reality that both Nitish Kumar and lalu Prasad have been playing caste politics. There is nothing more to say on it now,” said BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain before leaving to Saran for poll campaign.
The State BJP president, Mangal Pandey, also took a dig on Sharad Yadav’s statement. “What we’ve been saying for long, Sharad Yadav’s statement has vindicated this... he is a senior leader and he must have said this based on his experience,” said the State BJP chief.
Significantly, no senior State JD(U) leader has come forward to make a counter comment on Sharad Yadav’s fusillade against his own party leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
It is widely believed in the State that since Sharad Yadav has a hint of not winning the Parliamentary poll from Madhepura this time because, apparently, the Yadav’s of the constituency have strongly galvanised against him, hence, out of ‘frustration, he has hit out at both Nitish Kumar and lalu Prasad for indulging in caste politics.’
The RJD candidate Pappu Yadav has given a tough contest to Sharad Yadav in Madhepura despite the Bihar Chief Minister camped there for 10 days campaigning for the party chief. Sharad Yadav had represented Madhepura lok Sabha constituency four times in Parliament.
“He might have said this in frustration as he is not going to win his seat this time... he must be exploring a new political platform for his future,” said a JD(U) leader on anonymity. It is also said that when Nitish Kumar had decided to part ways with BJP, Sharad Yadav was not in favour of this but finally he had succumb as he was left with no option.
Earlier also, while addressing a public meeting at Gaighat block in Muzaffarpur, Sharad Yadav had shocked his partymen by saying the same thing, apparently, with a lesser effect. Sharad Yadav was campaigning for the party candidate from Muzaffarpur Bijendra Chaudhury.
“I’m taking responsibility for the pathetic condition of the State because it was me who had helped lalu Prasad and later Nitish Kumar in governing Bihar but unfortunately they both believe in caste politics,” said Sharad Yadav. He even apologies to the people for bringing both to power and supporting them.
He further explained his statement saying this State has seen the leaders like Karpoori Thakur who was true socialist “but see what lalu has done. He has destroyed pride and dignity of Bihar. Even, Nitish Kumar followed the path of lalu in politics”.
Recently, the JD(U) president also criticised media for indulging in biased reporting. “Today media is in the hands of barons with a lot of money and they are not reporting accurately. There should be a university where all of you (mediamen) should be given training how to report accurately,” suggested Sharad Yadav.He had also blamed the BJP for using money and media for turning the tide against him and his party, especially in Madhepura.
Meanwhile, other JD(U) leader and Rajya Sabha member KC Tyagi, known as Yadav’s loyalist, too has triggered another row within the party saying that the JD(U) would support AAP candidate Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi.
The State JD(U) president Basistha Narayan Singh has said that Tyagi should have “wider consultation” on this issue within the party. “As of now we’re too busy in the campaigning for the remaining two phases of poll in Bihar… no one from here is free to go to Varanasi for campaigning in support of AAP candidate,” said Basistha Narayan Singh.
He also said that he had talks with the JD(U) president over the matter but he seemed totally unaware of the decision. The Bihar Chief Minister reportedly has told Tyagi that he would not be able to go to Varanasi for campaign as he is preoccupied with his poll campaigning in Bihar.
However, the JD(U) leader and spokesperson KC Tyagi reiterated that he had consulted party president Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar on this issue earlier. “The decision to support AAP candidate in Varanasi was taken to stop the divisive forces in the country to come to power,” he said.