With RJD supremo lalu Prasad refusing to ask Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad to resign from the Nitish Kumar Cabinet, the bitter differences between the two and cracks in the mahagathbandhan became more visible. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is yet to react on lalu’s declaration, but his body language on Saturday spoke volumes when he graced an official function which was also scheduled to be attended by Tejashwi who did not turn up.
The organisers initially covered the nameplate of Tejashwi, the special guest at the function whose seat was next to the Chief Minister’s, but later removed it.
The function was held to mark the World Youth Skill Day.
The matter did not end here. Kumar, who was sitting next to labour Resources Minister and RJD leader Vijay Prakash, subsequently swapped his seat with JD(U) Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who was sitting on his right. This was seen as an attempt by the Chief Minister to maintain a distance with the RJD Minister.
The episode was captured by still as well as video cameras of the electronic media to show how the acrimony between the two Grand Alliance partners was growing with every passing day in the wake of the CBI registering an FIR against Tejashwi and others in connection with a land-for-hotels scam case.
It is speculated that either Tejashwi had been sent a message that Nitish did not like to share dais with him amid the differences or he on his own decided to keep off from the function at which he was invited as special guest.
On changing his seat, Industries Minister Jai Kumar Singh, who was also seated on the dais, said the CM was having some problem looking at the TV screen so he moved a little. On the no show by Tejashwi, labour Minister Prakash said he did not know why he did not come. The CM while leaving the venue ensured that the mediapersons should not come closer to him and he went off without taking any question from them.
Even as the spokesmen of JD(U) and RJD indulged in war of words, Nitish has called meeting of his legislators on Sunday at his official residence where is likely to make his stand a bit more clear on the ongoing standoff. Party sources said the legislators have been called a day before the polling for the Presidential election to be held on Monday.