Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday denied having played any role in the coup of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Nitish categorically stated that his party JDU has no role in the split of LJP. He is on a three days visit to Delhi. Nitish responded to the question related to the coup in the LJP claiming that his party has nothing to do with the episode and it was an internal matter of the LJP.
“I do not want to comment on the LJP controversy. We have nothing to do with their internal matters. However, some people are continuously speaking against us to get publicity and attention. In the entire episode of LJP we do not have any role at all, “said Nitish outside Delhi airport. On being asked why his MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh had visited the residence of LJP MP in Delhi, Nitish said that it is a normal thing as leaders keep on meeting each other.
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When asked whether he will welcome the Pashupati Kumar Paras faction in the JDU, Nitish reiterated that his party has no role in it. “Whatever is the issue, I can only say that it is an internal matter of their party. We have nothing to do with it. We do not have any role in the entire episode and you should keep this in mind," he stressed. Soon after the split in LJP, Chirag Paswan claimed that few people from JDU had hatched the conspiracy to break his party when he was ill. Chirag attacked Nitish indirectly saying that they were known for dividing backwards into backward and most backward.
Notably, it was Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who had introduced the Mahadalit category in Bihar after which late Ram Vilas Paswan had criticised him for the move. The Chief Minister also responded to the question related to the arrest of Pappu Yadav stressing that he has been arrested in an old case on the orders of the court and he has nothing to do with him. Nitish Kumar's Delhi visit hints at speculations of Union Cabinet expansion.
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The Bihar Chief Minister is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several top leaders of the BJP during his private visit to New Delhi. However, as soon as Nitish reached Delhi airport, he outrightly rejected the claim of a political visit by saying that his visit should not be connected with the Union Cabinet expansion. “I have come here for personal work. I am having some problem with my eyes. If required doctors will do the treatment and whatever doctor will advise me, I will follow,” Nitish said.
On being asked about the Union Cabinet expansion, Nitish said, “Expansion of the Cabinet is the prerogative of honourable PM. There is no talk as such, I am wondering why people are suddenly talking about it. We (BJP and JDU) are together and there is no conflict at all.” A few days back, RCP Singh had stated that the allies should get due respect in the Union Cabinet expansion. Nitish Kumar's visit to the national capital has added more buzz to the speculation.
Sources in the party said that Nitish is also likely to meet BJP president JP Nadda especially after the LJP episode in Bihar. JDU has allegedly played a crucial role in the split of LJP as their leaders were seen meeting LJP MPs in Delhi during the coup. The new faction of LJP led by Pashupati Kumar Paras has also been promised of getting one cabinet berth. After the formation of the Narendra Modi government in 2019, BJP has offered one cabinet berth to JDU but Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had rejected the offer terming it a symbolic representation. Nitish had stressed upon proportional representation of his party.
Two years down the line, a similar situation has arisen in front of JDU and BJP. Sources in the JDU said that the party is demanding three cabinet berths and two berths of the state minister.
