JD(U) national president Nitish Kumar has planned for the expansion of his party out of Bihar in order to make it a national party.
The core committee meeting of the party called on January 23 is likely to discuss how to realize this plan and chart out strategies for contesting polls in other States.
The meeting called by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assumes significance as it would be held after the joint meeting of the grand alliance partners the same day where the RJD and Congress leaders are expected to raise certain important issues on which they have differences with the JD(U).
The most important among them would be demonetisation issue which has been supported by Nitish but vehemently opposed by other two constituents of the Bihar Government.
Nitish and former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav are supposed to share their views on note ban experienced during the Nishchay Yatra by the CM and coordination with other parties on the same issue by Yadav respectively.
Party sources said that JD(U) may review its stand on demonetization in the wake of harassment to the common people and farmers with no measures of relief as promised by PM Narendra Modi even after 50 days of the decision banning the currency of higher denomination on November 8.
For getting the status of national party, the JD(U) core committee would chart out strategy for party’s outreach to other States and explore options to contest election in poll bound States particularly UP.
UP is on the top of the agenda of the JD(U) strategies. Nitish himself has traveled to certain parts of the UP and tried hard to spin alliance with smaller parties. However, after the political developments in the neighbouring State and family feud in the ruling Samajwadi Party and announcement of the poll schedule Nitish is yet to visit UP.
The JD(U) leaders are keeping a close watch on the developments in UP and possible split in Samajwadi Party. In that wake Bihar ruling party would like to have understanding with the Samaajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav which is also expected to have alliance with the Congress. The JD(U) already has finalized seat sharing ties with the Ajit Singh led RlD besides NCP, JD(S) and BS4.
Apart from UP, the JD(U) is also interested to fight some seats in Punjab possibly in alliance with Congress but the ball is in the court of Punjab PCC chief Capt Amrendra Singh who recently visited here and urged Nitish to come and campaign for Congress candidates. The JD(U) feels that if Congress gives some seats to it, that will be more logical for Nitish to campaign in that State.