Nitish Rules Out Possibility of Leaving NDA, Appeals for Victory of Alliance
Putting to a standstill all speculation about his joining either UPA or the Third Front after polls, JD-U leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has said that there was “no possibility” of his being in touch with non-NDA parties.
In the NDA rally in Ludhiana, he also appealed to the people to bring the BJP-led alliance to power to retaliate against centre’s behaviour to his state. Needless to add, for a fortnight there were rumours that Kumar was in touch with the Congress and the Left.
“I have clarified on several occasions that neither I am in touch with anybody nor any party or leader (from outside NDA) has contacted me. I am saying this clearly that there is no possibility of I being in touch with anybody at all,” Kumar told media persons in Patna before his departure to Ludhiana.
The Bihar chief minister’s statement has political significance particularly after CPI (M) leader Prakash Karat remarked that talks were on with the JD(U) leadership and that “they have a significant role to play after the elections” and also after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s praise for the Bihar chief minister.
Kumar claimed that NDA will emerge as the largest alliance. He said that other parties would also be attracted to NDA.
“The NDA can get majority also. But there is a possibility of NDA plus other parties emerging as a combine,” he said.
While addressing the rally in Ludhiana, Kumar appealed to the migrant Bihari population in Punjab to ensure NDA’s victory.
He exhorted the Biharis “to make each vote count and ensure the victory of NDA alliance in the country in order to avenge the Centre’s attitude”.
Earlier, when BJP leader Narendra Modi came on the stage he straight away went to Nitish Kumar, who had earlier refused to join a poll rally with the Gujarat chief minister, and greeted him. Modi caught hold of Kumar’s hand and both raised their hands in a show of unity.
