New Delhi:
Without naming him, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made it clear today that he has ended a 17-year alliance with the BJP because of the leading role it has drawn up for Narendra Modi.
Here are 10 big developments in today's big split:
BJP president Rajnath Singh today said, "We did not want to break the alliance. Hum dhokha kha sakte hain par dhokha de nahin sakte (We never betray people even though they may betray us). I am saddened by it. The 2002 riots were unfortunate but how is Narendra Modi responsible for it?"
"Whether one alliance breaks or ten, we will not re-think our decision on Modi," said BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, has been chosen by the BJP to head its election campaign.
In a statement that blames Narendra Modi for the split without naming him, Nitish Kumar's party, the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), says his promotion by the BJP is "a mere ceremonial prelude to his nomination as the prime ministerial candidate. These developments do not augur well for the health of our secular and democratic polity."
At a press conference, Nitish Kumar referred to Narendra Modi's prime ministerial ambitions and said, "To become PM, you need 272 votes." The remark was meant to reinforce that Narendra Modi is too divisive a figure to lead his party back to power after 10 years. (Read)
Nitish Kumar and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav said recent developments within the BJP suggest a new order and direction that they cannot subscribe to.
Nitish Kumar will take a vote of confidence on Wednesday. The JD(U) is four votes short of a majority.
"The JD(U) has betrayed us and the people of Bihar," said BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. (Highlights of his speech) The BJP says that instead of taking a trust vote, Nitish Kumar should resign. The state voted for the alliance, not the JD(U), said BJP leaders today.
Different BJP leaders today said that the JDU had been assured that a prime ministerial candidate would not be selected without extensive discussions with the party's allies. (Read: Who said what)
Sharad Yadav said he has resigned as Convenor of the National Democratic Alliance or NDA, a coalition of six parties. Before Sunday's split, the JD(U) was the BJP's biggest ally in the coalition.
The JD(U) is privately concerned about losing the upper caste voters that the BJP delivered to the alliance.
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