Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah will arrive in Patna today to chop the differences and strengthen the alliance with JD(U) national president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Shah will meet Kumar as part of BJP’s Sampark for Samarthan programme, as the national party is trying to make bonds with allies, stronger than the previous Lok Sabha Polls in 2014.
It is to be known that there have been difference between the JD(U) and BJP in Bihar over the issue on who is a bigger ally in the government. Heated words were exchanged between the party leaders and even a coalition with Congress was on the cards for JD(U) few days back. It is predicted that Shah will hold discussions with Kumar and try to sort out the differences ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Informing about the meeting between Shah and Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said, “All the meeting which Amit Shah will have with Nitish will be important. I am not sure about the agenda which is on table between Amit Shah and Nitish.”
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According to party sources, Shah is all set to meet Kumar twice in a day, over breakfast and dinner, which was not done with estranged ally Shiv Sena during Sampark for Samarthan programme held last month. The matter over seat sharing is on the cards, as JD(U) in last couple of days was miffed with BJP’s alleged demand of 25 Lok Sabha seats out of 40, which was the opposite in previous elections.
Elaborating more on this issue, JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said, “Nitish has said that seat sharing issue will be discussed and sorted as elections come close. The meeting between Shah and Nitish will focus on strengthening the NDA in Bihar.”
JD(U) party leaders are of the opinion that if the rift further increases, then Kumar might contest all the 40 seats in Bihar individually. Even union Minister Giriraj Singh’s allegations on Kumar failing to stop atrocities on Hindus and falsely implicating people in riots cases, has increased the differences between the two allies.
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On the other hand, RJD has taken a jibe at the meeting between the two allies. Calling Kumar an opportunist again, RJD spokesperson said, “Nitish says he will not compromise with crime and corruption but everyone knows what are the charges on Amit Shah. Shah is a person with terrorist characteristics and Nitish has lot to answer when he meets the BJP President.”