Dussehra Function Exposes Rift Between BJP, Nitish Kumar

The sharp political differences within Bihar's ruling alliance - between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP - became evident on Tuesday as leaders of the BJP stayed away from a Dussehra function at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. Presence of political leaders across party lines in key social functions is traditional. But for the climactic Ravan Vadh of the Ram Leela held during Navratras, only the Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Bihar Assembly, Vijay Choudhari and Bihar Congress President Madan Mohan Jha were present for the function that was organised by a private committee.