JD(U) pitches for Nitish as leader of national anti-BJP front

The Janata Dal (United) on Monday pitched for a national front against the BJP with Nitish Kumar as its supreme leader.

However, the JD(U) was silent on the call for unification from the next politically critical state, Uttar Pradesh. There was no reciprocal comment from the JD(U) to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who has, in the past two days, publicly spoken about the need for a “Mahagathbandhan” in his state.

The JD(U) Bihar state president Bashishtha Narain Singh said Bihar elections have heralded an era of non-BJP politics in the country while asserting that Nitish Kumar is a “national alternative” to Narendra Modi. The JD(U) leader’s contention was that similar to a non-Congress front in the 1990’s, the need has arisen for an anti-BJP national front and Nitish Kumar is clearly the most credible leader of that front.

“Like the non-Congress politics practised in the country earlier, the non-BJP politics has begun from Bihar. The state had destroyed what was being referred to as the charismatic image of Modi. Two faces were visible in state; that of Modi and Kumar. Bihar has put its stamp on Kumar in this clash of personality, ideology and work,” Singh said at a press conference.

Specifically asked if he thought Kumar should lead a non-BJP formation, Singh said, “I believe Nitish Kumar has image, ability. diligence... to do so. It is not for him to decide and all parties concerned will have to take a call. But I will stress that he has the ability to assume any responsibility.”

These comments came almost simultaneously with Akhilesh Yadav’s call that there is a possibility of a Grand Alliance in UP. Although the CM did not elaborate on the contours of the Grand Alliance he had in mind, his remarks came a day after his uncle and a minister in UP cabinet Shivpal Yadav suggested a possible alliance between Mayawati-Led Bahujan Samaj Party and the ruling Samajwadi Party.

While Mayawati has shown no inclination to respond to the SP’s overtures, even the Mahagathbandhan is wary of Mulayam Singh Yadav after he jilted them mid-election in Bihar. Mulayam Singh Yadav had been made the leader of the Grand Alliance in Bihar. But he chose to desert them and contest the state election independently. The Mahagathbandhan leaders have been secretly fuming at Mulayam’s “treachery” although they continue to show him all the basic courtesies of a former colleague.

According to a senior leader of the Grand Alliance, Mulayam Singh Yadav has “lost all credibility”. In fact, what the Grand Alliance, especially the Congress, would look forward to in Uttar Pradesh is joining forces with Mayawati and cutting Mulayam off.

“But the trouble with Maywati is that she does not align with anyone. Mulayam has proved that he is treacherous. It is actually too early to talk about UP yet,” said a senior leader in JD(U).

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