This Article is From Jun 13, 2013

With Nitish Kumar exploring options, Bihar BJP calls emergency meet

With Nitish Kumar exploring options, Bihar BJP calls emergency meet
Patna: Aware that it's likely to be dumped soon by Nitish Kumar, the BJP in Bihar held an emergency meeting of its senior leaders to discuss its strategy for the break-up and after.

BJP President Rajnath Singh is scheduled to arrive in Patna on June 23. Sources say all that's left between the two sides is the handling of exit formalities.

Senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has reportedly told bureaucrats not to approach him with files or ask for decisions and clearances - a virtual declaration that his party accepts its role in the government is over.

The Chief Minister confirmed today that Mr Singh and LK Advani of the BJP have both phoned him; sources say he did not reassure them that he will rethink his decision to end an alliance that has lasted 18 years. (Read)

The crisis has been precipitated by the BJP choosing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to head its campaign. Mr Kumar and his party, the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), allege that Mr Modi didn't do enough to protect the hundreds of Muslims who were killed in the riots that ravaged Gujarat in 2002.

In Delhi, JD(U) President Sharad Yadav said that the alliance hasn't fallen apart yet, and that a final call will be taken by a meeting of his party this weekend in Patna.

But making it clear that he's ready to move on, Mr Kumar confirmed to reporters today that he is in talks with two other regional powerhouses - West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik - about attempts to assemble a "federal" or Third Front to take on the coalitions led by the BJP and the Congress in the national election.

In the Bihar Assembly, the math is loaded in favour of Mr Kumar. The JD(U) needs the support of just four legislators to remain in power. Independents could ally with the party to keep it in a majority.
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