Bihar politics LIVE: RJD MP Manoj Jha junks Nitish Kumar’s switchover claims

Stating that the Opposition INDIA alliance was being disintegrated in West Bengal, BJP Lok Sabha MP Dilip Ghosh claimed on Saturday that seats of the ruling Trinamool Congress will get reduced by half in the State and the Congress will be wiped out in the state in the coming Lok Sabha election.

“There is no alliance. They (the parties in the INDIA bloc) are all leaving it slowly. The TMC has itself said it will not have any alliance in West Bengal,” Ghosh told reporters here today.

Amid reports that Bihar Chief Minister may rejoin the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nitish Kumar arrived for the inauguration of the state’s Fire Fighting Vehicle on Saturday.

Though the event falls under the aegis of the state’s Disaster Management Department, which is headed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, only Kumar was seen present at the event.

Bihar BJP MLC Dilio Jaiswal said that party’s top leadership is monitoring the situation, and it will take a decision soon.

“We will hold a legislature party meeting today at 4 pm, and then again at 9 am tomorrow,” said the minister.

Senior JD(U) leader, Neeraj Kumar said that “there is no confusion” among the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) partners in Bihar.

“Nitish Kumar is known only for his work not for making political moves”, Neeraj said when asked about the return of the JD(U) to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

A video on Saturday showed that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar left from his residence in Patna. He is likely to meet JD(US) leaders for a meeting. 

A meeting of the Bihar BJP leaders is scheduled to take place in Patna over the weekend amid  eports that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may rejoin the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“There is a meeting of Bihar BJP leaders to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The state executive meeting of Bihar BJP has been called on 27th and 28th January in Patna,” BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde said while speaking to ANI.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha has dismissed rumours that Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) is joining NDA and exiting the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Grand Alliance) in Bihar.

“In the end, the head of this ‘Mahagathbandhan’ is Nitish Kumar. Lalu Prasad and Tejaswi Yadav laid the foundation, the purpose of which was to defeat the hate politics being done by PM Modi,” RJD MP said.

Bihar’s ruling coalition is likely to collapse as several ministers have dropped hints about Nitish Kumar joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

If Kumar makes the switch, as rumoured, it will be the fourth such move in the past decade and the second this term.

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said, “No door is closed in politics. The door can be opened if needed”.

Nitish’s shift would be a severe blow to the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar as well as the Opposition INDIA bloc at the national level that is formed to take on the BJP-led Centre.

Bihar BJP state in-charge Vinod Tawde said they have called a meeting on 27th and 28th January in Patna to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

On the current political situation in Bihar, Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra said that Nitish Kumar, ‘is still part of the INDIA alliance’, he added, ‘People in power should end this situation of confusion and bring clarity’.

Amid Bihar political crisis, JD (U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said, “Nitish Kumar ji is the elected CM of the state. He does not aspire for any post. Those who have confusion in their mind should know better. Who can target those who have the arrow in their own hands?”

Union Food Processing Industries Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) Chief Pashupati Kumar Paras on Friday asked people to wait for 1-2 days on speculations of Nitish Kumar joining NDA.

Pashupati Paras said that with time the situation will get clearer in the state.

“Wait for 1-2 days… I have repeatedly said that time is more powerful than individual…Time will tell,” the minister said.

JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal alleged that Nitish Kumar was not being ‘respected’ in the ‘mahagathbandhan’.

Mandal also said that Nitish Kumar is planning to ‘switch the alliance to save his existence’.

“Wherever our national president (Nitish Kumar) goes, we will follow him. People can do anything to save their existence. His existence was at the stake. He was not respected; he was being abused,” Mandal said.

An apparent sign of soaring ties between Bihar’s JD(U) and Rashtriya Janata Dal parties was when Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav skipped the Republic Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan, where CM Nitish Kumar was present. The two didn’t exchange a word in the parade held in Patna soon after.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that the Bihar chief minister could become the prime minister if he remains with the INDIA bloc of the Opposition.

“Anyone can be considered for the post of Prime Minister (in the alliance)”, Yadav told India Today TV, suggesting that Nitish Kumar could be seen as a contender with the right backing.

Bihar Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan has called a meeting of party MLAs and former legislators in Purnea at 2pm on Saturday. “All Congress MLAs (present and former) and senior party leaders are meeting in Purnea tomorrow to discuss preparations related to ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ of Rahul Gandhi when it enters Bihar on January 29,” Khan told media.

BJP has called a meeting of its MPs and MLAs on Saturday apparently to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

According to BJP state unit chief Samrat Choudhary, the meeting will deliberate on the party’s strategy for the general elections, the dates for which are yet to be announced.

On Friday, the BJP leaders dropped major hints about CM Nitish Kumar’s reported discussions with the party’s senior leaders.

BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said, “No door is closed in politics. The door can be opened if needed.”

The Bihar government transferred 22 IAS, 79 IPS and 45 Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) officers on Friday.

Patna DM Chandrasekhar Singh, a 2010-batch IAS officer, has been made special secretary in the chief minister’s secretariat.

Naval Kishor Choudhary (2013-batch IAS officer), currently Gopalganj DM, will take over as the new Bhagalpur DM.

Bhagalpur DM Subrat Kumar Sen (a 2013-batch IAS officer) has been appointed as Muzaffarpur DM.

Senthil K Kumar (1996-batch IAS officer), principal secretary, home department, is the new principal secretary of the planning department.

Safeena AN (1997-batch IAS officer), principal secretary, minorities welfare department, has been appointed as member, revenue board.

Besides, 79 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including 17 SPs posted in different districts, were also transferred on Friday.

Sushil Mansingh Khopde (1995-batch IPS), currently posted as additional director general (operations), Special Task Force (STF), has been appointed as ADG (prohibition). Amrit Raj (1998-batch IPS), currently posted as ADG (prohibition), has been appointed as ADG (operations).

Deepak Ranjan (2012-batch IPS), currently posted as SP Jehanabad, has been transferred as commandant (Bihar Special Armed Police, Bodh Gaya).

SP Naugachia Sushant Kumar Saroj has been appointed as SP Bagaha.

SP Araria Ashok Kumar Singh has been made commandant (Bihar Special Armed Police, Sasaram), SP Siwan Shailesh Kumar Sinha has been made commandant (Bihar Special Armed Police, Patna), SP Saharasha Upendra Nath Verma is the new Purnea SP, Amitesh Kumar (SP Khagaria) will take charge as Siwan SP.

Similarly, 45 officers of Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) have also been assigned new postings.

On January 23, 29 senior IAS officers were assigned new postings in a major bureaucratic rejig.

Bihar politics LIVE: Amid the current political situation in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Ritlal Yadav on Friday said that no one can betray party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav adding that it does not matter whether RJD will remain in power or not.

Ritlal Yadav said that work for the public will continue irrespective of the outcome of the current political scenario in Bihar.

“No one has betrayed our Lalu Prasad Yadav nor can anyone betray him. Only the public can betray him, otherwise, no one has that power. It doesn’t matter whether we are in the government or not, we will work for the people,” RJD MLA said.

Earlier today, a meeting was called by the RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav at his official residence in Patna. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister also skipped an ‘At Home’ event at the Governor’s House. However, party leader Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present at the event. (ANI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Uncertainty has once again engulfed Bihar with the possibility of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shifting to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation has accused the BJP of creating differences in Mahagathbandhan over seat sharing.

Speaking to ANI on Friday, the CPI(ML) leader Mahboob Alam said that the BJP wants to win the Lok Sabha elections anyhow.

“I had a word with Minister Vivek Kumar Choudhary around 11 am and he said there is no issue…you can’t blame one person regarding seat sharing, did seat sharing happen in NDA? No, the BJP wants to create differences in Mahagathbandhan over seat sharing. BJP has gone crazy…they want to win the Lok Sabha elections anyhow…” Mahboob Alam said.

Speculations are rife that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will possibly cross over to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again, an alliance he left in 2022 to join hands with the Opposition and form ‘mahagathbandhan’.

If Nitish switches sides, this will mark the fourth time in just over a decade that he would do it. (ANI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Stating that his party is keeping a close eye on the current political situation in Bihar, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Saturday said that there is definitely some stir in the state adding that it is a matter of time before the situation gets clear on whether Nitish Kumar led-JDU will realign with BJP-led-NDA.

Chirag Paswan said that as of now a lot of mixed rumours are spreading in the air and patience must be exercised till the situation in Bihar’s political landscape gets clear.

“LJP (Ram Vilas) is keeping a close eye on the current situation. There are a lot of possibilities. Not right to answer anything on a hypothetical basis. So need to wait and let the situation become clear. Afterwards, we can tell our stand,” Chirag Paswan told ANI.

When asked about the BJP leader’s Gyanendra Singh remarks that “change is certain” and “PM Modi likes Nitish Kumar”, Chirag Paswan said,” I don’t know if it is their’ (BJP) official line. All I want to say is irrespective of that in the current situation NDA is very strong. Even today, NDA can win all 40 seats in Bihar. I don’t know whether Nitish Kumar will rejoin NDA or not.”

On RJD leader Manoj Jha’s remarks that there is no rift between his party and JDU, Chirag Paswan said that it is a matter of time and the situation in Bihar will get clear soon.

“See this is what exactly I am saying, there are very mixed rumours, possibilities. If we start commenting on every speculation then a lot of confusion will happen. It is a matter of time and the situation in Bihar will get clear soon,” he said.

LJP (Ram Vilas) stated that the senior leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party is in touch with him regarding the strategies for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. (PTI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said that the Congress has a “big responsibility” of taking along smaller parties.

When asked about West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s decision to go solo in the Lok Sabha elections, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh said, “Mamata Banerjee has said to fight (alone) so Congress should persuade her. It is the big responsibility of Congress to take along smaller parties.”

The SP, Congress and TMC along with various opposition parties across the country are members of the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc.

On the question of the possibility of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining the NDA, Yadav said, “There are no rumours and we hope that Nitish ji will not join the NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA bloc.” (PTI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Amid the possibility of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar making yet another switch to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the BJP has called its state executive meeting tomorrow and the day after, the sources said.

The meeting is likely to be held on January 27 and 28.

According to the sources, the party’s Bihar in-charge Vinod Tawde will go to Patna tomorrow.

If reports are to be believed, the stage seems to be set for Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar to return to the BJP-led NDA again.

If Nitish switches sides, this will mark the fourth time in just over a decade that he would do it.

Nitish’s shift would deal a severe blow to the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar as well as the Opposition INDIA bloc at the national level that was formed to take on the BJP-led Centre in 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. (PTI)

Bihar politics LIVE: On the current political situation in Bihar, Union Minister & President of RLJP, Pashupati Kumar Paras says, as quoted by ANI, “I had said that the person is not powerful, the time is powerful. We are with the NDA and will remain with them.”

Bihar politics LIVE: BJP ally and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Santosh Kumar Suman said on Friday that the Bihar government may fall in a day or two, amid indications that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could snap ties with the INDIA bloc and return to the NDA.

Suman, who is an MLC and son of former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, said the BJP has so far not categorically told his party about any impending alliance with the JD(U), which is headed by Kumar.

“It appears to me that this government will fall in a day or two,” he told PTI.

Amid deepening fissures in Kumar’s ties with the RJD and the Congress, BJP leaders have indicated that they are open to tie up with him again. (PTI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Amid speculations that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may pull out of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ and return to the BJP-led NDA, leader of opposition in the assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha on Friday said the saffron party’s state unit will accept whatever its central leadership decides.

Talking to PTI, Sinha said, “Our central leadership is watching the political situation in Bihar. Whatever decision is taken by our central leadership will be accepted by BJP leaders here”.

Asked whether the party will join hands with Kumar’s JD(U) in forming the government in the state, Sinha said, “I have already made it clear that we will accept our central leadership’s decision.”

He, however, denied that the BJP has convened a meeting of its legislature party on Saturday in the backdrop of recent political developments in the state.

“We have not called a meeting of our legislature party tomorrow”, he said. (PTI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Amid the uncertainty in the political corridors of Bihar over the possible alliance of Janata Dal-United (JDU) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as speculations are on the rise that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could cross over to the NDA again, RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari said on Friday that it ‘surprises’ him how one’s conscience allows one to go back to the place where one was reportedly ‘insulted’.

Earlier today, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar attended Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s ‘At Home’ reception event at the Raj Bhavan in Patna. However, Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav skipped the event, while Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present there.

“We have seen what kind of language was used by the Bihar BJP President for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the past. It surprises me how one’s conscience allows one to go back there,” Tiwari told reporters, adding that nothing is clear as yet.

“Nothing is clear as yet. Let us wait for the details on why he (CM Kumar) went to the Raj Bhavan,” the RJD veteran added.

He further said that he had sought time from the Chief Minister to meet him.

“I have sought time from the Chief Minister for today. He even said that he would call me,” Shivanand Tiwari said. (ANI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Here are some quotes on who said what. 

“We want the Congress, which is our alliance partner, to do some introspection with regard to its stance towards other constituents and sharing of seats. Our leader Nitish Kumar has for long been stressing on the need for early finalisation of seat-sharing deal so that we could concentrate on Lok Sabha polls.”

— JD(U) Bihar unit chief Umesh Singh Kushwaha

“We formed a government together for the welfare of the people and to defeat the BJP. The prevailing confusion is affecting public life in Bihar. Only the chief minister can dispel the confusion. We hope he will do so by this evening.”

— RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha

“As far as Kumar or the JD(U) are concerned, doors are never permanently closed in politics. Closed doors open when the time comes but whether they will open or not is for our central leadership to decide.”

— BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi

“There is nothing to say much about the political atmosphere in Bihar. You all are watching it. Nitish Kumar’s statement on dynasty politics was directed at the Congress and the RJD. Under these circumstances, do you think they will remain united? The grand alliance government in Bihar would not remain intact at all after this statement of the CM.”

— Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi

“We are keeping a watch on the situation in the state where the next two or three days may be crucial. The BJP, which is the largest constituent of the alliance, is keeping me in the loop. We will be holding more talks in Delhi.”

— Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader and Lok Sabha MP Chirag Paswan

“Nitish Kumar has built an image where everyone keeps guessing about his future political moves. It is true that he is not comfortable as RJD is part of the Mahagathbandhan. He is feeling suffocated. Ever since the grand alliance government was formed in Bihar, RJD leaders keep attacking the chief minister. Sometimes, the statements become insulting to him. These are the reasons that, as per indications, he is trying to quit the grand alliance.”

— Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal leader Upendra Kushwaha

“I am not welcoming nor am I against anyone. It is the decision of the central leadership. Whatever decision they take, I am sure it will be in the interest of the state and the party. I am neither happy nor unhappy. I am a worker of the party, I will abide by whatever decision is taken.”

— Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh

“It appears to me that this government will fall in a day or two.”

— Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Santosh Kumar Suman. (PTI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Bihar Congress CLP leader Dr Shakeel Ahmed Khan has called a meeting of Congress MLAs in Purnia, Bihar at 2 pm on Saturday amid growing speculation that Nitish Kumar may exit the Opposition bloc.

Bihar politics LIVE: On the current political situation in Bihar, Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra says, as quoted by ANI, “Congress is keeping its eye on the whole situation… It is not that whatever BJP wants will happen… Right now our focus is on Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra, but we are also keeping an eye on this…Congress is united”

Bihar politics LIVE: On the current political situation in Bihar, JDU MLA Gopal Mandal says, as quoted by ANI, “Wherever our national president (Nitish Kumar) goes, we will follow him. JDU MLAs are strong, so it is not possible to break them. People can do anything to save their existence. He was not respected; he was being abused…”

Bihar politics LIVE: On the current political situation in Bihar, RJD MLA Ritlal Yadav says, as quoted by ANI, “No one has betrayed our Lalu Prasad Yadav nor can anyone betray him. Only the public can betray him, otherwise, no one has that power. It doesn’t matter whether we are in the government or not, we will work for the people.”

Bihar politics LIVE: Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party Chief and ally of the INDIA bloc on Friday said that there is “no sign” of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the opposition alliance returning to the NDA.

Speaking to the reporters here, Yadav also expressed his hope that Nitish will strengthen the INDIA alliance, formed to take on the BJP-led central government in the upcoming general elections.

“There is no such sign. We hope that Nitish Kumar will not go to NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA alliance,” Yadav said.

Notably, the unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appeared in jeopardy amid growing speculation that Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the bloc may exit the 28-party Opposition bloc, formed to take on the BJP-led Central government. (ANI)

Bihar politics LIVE: Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Friday it was only a matter of time before JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar returns to the BJP-led NDA.

Asked about the timing of Kumar joining hands with the NDA, Manjhi said, “It will happen at any moment. I knew from the beginning that the grand alliance government of the RJD-JD(U) would fall.”

On the reason for Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav skipping the governor’s high-tea ceremony on Republic Day, Manjhi said, “I cannot comment on this. You should ask him (Tejashwi Yadav) why he was absent.”

Earlier in the day, Manjhi had said that the ‘grand alliance’ government in Bihar would not remain intact. (PTI)