FILE: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi with senior JD(U) leader and predecessor Nitish Kumar in Patna (Press Trust of India photo)
Who gets to be the principal opposition party in Bihar has added to the ongoing political turmoil in the state, just two days before the Jitan Ram Manjhi government proves its numbers on the floor of the assembly. The BJP, which is the main opposition, today walked out of an all-party meeting called by the Speaker to discuss the issue, alleging he was favouring the Janata Dal (United).
The JD(U) had written to Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary nearly a week ago asking that it be recognised as the main opposition. The party argues that it has nothing to do with the government of Jitan Ram Manjhi who was earlier expelled for anti-party activities following his refusal to make way for senior party leader and predecessor Nitish Kumar for the chief minister's post. Yesterday, the JD(U) also suspended seven ministers loyal to him.
"We have made a request and think we should be given status of the main opposition party in both the Vidhan Sabha and the Vidhan Parishad. We want the speaker to take a call on this soon," Mr Kumar said after today's meeting.
"It is clear that the Vidhan Sabha office deliberately invited select leaders from parties as part of a conspiracy to arrive at decision in their favour," BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav said.
The BJP also slammed as "posturing" the demand of the JD(U) which has accused its arch rival of backing Mr Manjhi and stoking a crisis in the party. A recognition of the JD(U)'s demand by the Speaker will force the BJP to sit next to Mr Manjhi and his supporters in the assembly.
"Why is the JD(U) in such a tearing hurry to be recognized as the main opposition? This is not a very big question and can even be decided later. All this is just plain posturing. We have nothing to do with the internal politics of the Janata Dal (United) and continue to remain the main opposition party in Bihar," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.
The BJP is yet to spell out its strategy on the confidence vote on Friday. The party's ideological mentor, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has stepped in to formulate its strategy on Bihar, wishes it to avoid any direct intervention, sources told NDTV.