As Nitish Kumar returns to Patna, BJP calls meet on the likely split

New Delhi: The momentum of the efforts by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP to prep for their big split this weekend is picking up. On record, the BJP and Mr Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) say the alliance has not yet collapsed; privately, both parties admit they are working on exit formalities. (Watch)

The JDU meets in Patna on the weekend; the conclave is expected to announce that it is ending the 18-year partnership.

Mr Kumar returns to Patna from a tour this afternoon; BJP leaders will attend a meet called by their leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

Ministers from the BJP say that in anticipation of the split, they have stopped reporting to work. "We are trying to keep the alliance intact, but whatever JDU decides, will be known publicly. And keeping this in view, we've decided to not go to office today," said Tourism Minister Sunil Kumar Pintu.

Meanwhile, BJP president Rajnath Singh said, "We would never want such a long alliance with JDU to end."

Sharad Yadav, the JDU president cautioned this morning, "Don't assume that the alliance is over." But he conceded that the crisis has been stoked by the BJP's recent decision to choose Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to head its election campaign.

Mr Modi's promotion was also opposed by a faction of BJP big-hitters like LK Advani who worry that his promotion will be followed by his winning the BJP's prime ministerial nomination.

"If the influence of BJP leaders like LK Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee diminishes, that affects us," said Mr Yadav.

The JDU has been an open critic of Mr Modi because it alleges he did not do enough to stop hundreds of Muslims from being killed in Gujarat's communal riots of 2002.

Mr Yadav has made it clear in recent days that much of his party's allegiance to the BJP stems from its relationship with Mr Advani. The National Democratic Alliance or NDA, a coalition of nine parties, is anchored by the BJP. The JDU is its biggest partner. Mr Advani is the NDA's chairman; Mr Yadav is its convenor.