BJP ministers in Nitish govt to resign today
August 09, 2022 13:03
M I Khan reports from Patna
Amid speculations of a major political change in Bihar, the sprawling headquarters of state Bharatiya Janata Party wore a deserted look as the party is expecting a setback.
There is no trace of party leaders and workers inside the hi-tech party office on the busy Veerchand Patel Marg in the heart of Patna. Even supporters of the party are not seen inside or outside the main iron gate today.
"Few leaders and workers have turned up here since Monday. But the situation changed on Tuesday morning, even the usual crowd is absent from the party office. It is an indication that Nitish Kumar is likely to dump the BJP and party leaders and workers are expecting a major setback," said a tea seller outside the BJP headquarters.
A rickshaw puller waiting under a tree said there is no activity inside or outside the party office today. There is an atmosphere of gloom.
"Hardly any party workers visited the office yesterday. But today, no one is here except those party members who manage the place."
A shopkeeper selling Khadi clothes near the BJP office said, "Party leaders and workers used to gather here since early morning till late evening. But all this is missing since Monday."
Instead of meeting at the party headquarters, some BJP leaders met at Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad's residence and discussed the political environment in the state.
On Monday, some party leaders rushed to Delhi to meet the national leadership to discuss the political equations in Bihar.
As per unconfirmed reports, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had telephoned Nitish Kumar on Monday night and spoke to him for about six minutes.
It was not clear what they talked about, but it appears that Shah failed in his attempt to convince Nitish to continue with the National Democratic Alliance and his recent assurance that Nitish will be CM till 2025 did not work.
Not far away from the BJP office, the offices of the Janata Dal-United and the Rashtriya Janata Dal are crowded with party leaders and workers. They appeared upbeat with possible fresh tie up of the JD-U and the RJD in Bihar.
Leaders and workers of both parties are in a mood of celebration and planning to distribute sweets soon.
On the other hand, BJP leaders including state president Sanjay Jaiswal, spokespersons, party MLAs and MPs are totally silent over the rising political heat. Most of them are reticent.
"We will speak when the time comes. We prefer to wait and watch as of now," a senior BJP leader said.
However, sources within the BJP told Rediff.com that BJP ministers in the Nitish-led government may resign today.
"As it is clear and reports are coming now that the JD-U has decided to end ties with the BJP, only a formal announcement is left to be made. Nitish will visit Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor and the opposition alliance of the RJD, the Congress and the Left parties will announce their support to him. The BJP has to get out of the government," the source said.
According to RJD sources, the opposition Mahagathbandhan has given a letter of support to Nitish Kumar. It will be formally announced soon.
Meanwhile, the JD-U held a meeting of party MPs and MLAs at the official residence of Nitish Kumar and the RJD too held a meeting of its MLAs at former CM Rabri Devis official residence.
"In the meeting, all JD-U MLAs and MPs have authorised Nitish Kumar to take any decision," a JD-U leader said.
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