Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday to seek the latter’s support to woo young voters in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Sources in the JD(U) said Kumar, who is going to contest the Bihar polls on anti-corruption plank, is keen to tap Kejriwal’s anti-corruption image and wants to use his face to drum up support from young electorate. In a related development, Kumar has also agreed to provide 30 more policemen for Delhi Government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).
After the meeting, the Bihar CM reiterated his support for full statehood of Delhi, which has been one of the major demands of the Kejriwal Government. “People voted for the Aam Aadami Party and Kejriwal Government with lot of hopes. Now if the Government is not able to function properly, due to obstacles, the people will be upset. The public does not understand challenges a State Government faces,” said Kumar
“The Delhi Police is not under the State Government. If the Government does not decide who should be given what responsibility, what answer are they going to give to the publicIJ We are with them on this issue,” he added.
It was the third meeting of Kumar with Kejriwal after February Delhi elections in which the AAP won with a thumping majority and edged out its main rival BJP and Congress. The BJP was trounced after 30-35 lakh poorvanchalis in Delhi voted for Kejriwal. In that context, both the leaders stand to benefit from displaying a mutual liking.
last month, Kumar sent six police officers to the ACB on a request of Kejriwal.
Nitish-lalu tie up for the Bihar Assembly polls may dent Kumar’s clean image and corruption-free administration. Kumar’s alignment with Kejriwal, according to political pundits, will help him salvage the image to some extent.
Kumar hopes to convince his Delhi counterpart for a commitment to address a rally in Bihar as Kejriwal is popular among young voters. There is a possibility that Kejriwal would not share dais with lalu Prasad, but may address public rally in Bihar. The influence of Kejriwal on the Bihar campaign is notable. On the other hand, Kejriwal is also trying for an alternative non-Congress and non-BJP leadership at the Centre.