The swift political developments in Bihar have given a fresh hope to the Congress that it may emerge as the `bridge’ between the ruling JD (U) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the partners of the Mahagathbandhan comprising major stakeholders Lalu Yadav’s RJD, Left and the party itself, in case a new alliance is forged during the next couple of days.
AICC sources said in any case whatever the role the grand old party would play, it is likely to not go beyond the popular opinion of Nitish Kumar as the CM of Bihar. The development is crucial as the Congress just recently lost power in Maharashtra as the Eknath Shinde-led revolt split the Shiv Sena and the MVA government was ousted.
The RJD with 80 MLAs, after four AIMIM MLAs joined it a couple of months ago, is the largest party in the Bihar Assembly while the BJP is the second largest with 77 legislators.
While the top leadership of Congress will take a call after the separate meetings of JD(U) and RJD in this regard on Tuesday, the State unit of the party has been asked to meet to discuss the political situation in the state and to "accept” Nitish Kumar into the opposition camp if he chose to sever ties with BJP. Sources said Nitish has already done his homework and spoken to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in this regard.
Nitish has convened a meeting of JD(U) MLAs and MPs on Tuesday to discuss the scenario that emerged following the exit of former national president RCP Singh. Talking to media, JDU chief Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan did not react to speculations that Nitish was planning to walk out of the NDA but took exception to the claim that the BJP had decided who would be a minister from the JD(U).
“The chief minister has called the meeting of party MLAs to know their views about the situation that has emerged in the wake of the RCP episode,” said Lalan.
Amid the brewing political storm, RJD said it was ready to “embrace” Nitish and his JD(U) if he broke ranks with the BJP. RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwary said that convening meetings of legislators by both parties on Tuesday were a clear indication that the situation was extraordinary.
“If Nitish chooses to dump NDA, what choice do we have except to embrace him. RJD is committed to fighting the BJP. If the chief minister decides to join this fight, we will have to take him along,” said Tiwary.
AICC secretary Shakil Ahmed Khan, who is also a party MLA, said the meeting will be held at the residence of Congress legislature party leader Ajeet Sharma and is likely to be attended by the party's in charge of Bihar, Bhakt Charan Das, who would reach from Delhi.
“We always believe that parties with similar ideologies (samaan vichardhara) should come together. If the CM's JD(U), which believes in socialist ideology, quits BJP we will definitely welcome it. But these are early days. We will discuss the unfolding situation at the meeting in the evening”, said Khan when sought for his comments on the sudden developments.
Asked to comment on reports that Kumar had spoken to Sonia Gandhi over phone, Khan said “I cannot confirm it. Only top leaders of the party can comment on such matters”. He dismissed queries about any realignment hitting a roadblock on account of the Congress' estrangement with RJD and the Left. “We wholeheartedly participated in Sunday's 'Pratirodh march' in the State by the combined opposition,” he said.