Nitish on BJP: They wish me well, but give medicines that kill

Ahead of its weekend review, Janata Dal-United on Friday gave clear signs yet again of an emerging split with BJP, saying there are problems and the situation is "difficult" even as a senior party leader lashed out at BJP.

Returning from a two-day 'seva yatra' for consultations with the JD-U leadership tomorrow over the alliance issue, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "The situation is such that there are problems (in continuing the alliance)."

"Dua dete hain jeene ki, dawa karte hain marne ki. Dushwari ka sabab yeh hain. (The blessing is for life but the medicine is for death). That is the crux of the problem," he told reporters in Patna. 

He was replying to a question whether it is going to be the end of the 17-year alliance between JD-U and BJP.

He said the situation is difficult and what is to be done in this difficult situation is being discussed by all.

"On the one hand, some are giving suggestions that it is such an old alliance that it should continue. On the other hand, the conditions are such that there are problems," Kumar said.

While party chief Sharad Yadav appeared hopeful of a rapprochement, sources in the party described the situation as "a point of no return".

In a clear indication of things to come, party general secretary Shivanand Tiwari accused BJP of "forcing" JD(U) to come out of NDA by projecting Narendra Modi.

"BJP wants that the blame for breaking the alliance comes on JD-U but the fact is otherwise. We had made our stand clear long time back. Our opinion on Modi was well-known. We never invited Modi in Bihar for any election that the NDA fought there," Tiwari said. 

Meanwhile, the BJP in Bihar on Friday accused the ruling Janata Dal-United of trying to break the party. Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party president Mangal Pandey told mediapersons that the JD-U is trying to break the BJP in Bihar.

"It is very objectionable and dangerous for democracy,” Pandey said after an emergency meeting of the party workers and leaders including MLAs and ministers. Pandey said that several JD-U leaders are in touch with BJP legislators to break away and join the JD-U.

Earlier, there was a report of JD-U leaders asking the support of BJP leaders to run the government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Pandey said he has directed party legislators and ministers to be present in Patna till June 17.

In the early 90s, BJP was split by then chief minister Lalu Prasad.

There is speculation in political circles in Patna that the JD-U has made up its mind to run the government without the BJP.

According to JD-U leaders, the party is in touch with over a dozen BJP legislators including ministers. There was some good news for the JD-U though. Four of the six independent legislators have announced their support to the government. 

Even the Congress, with four legislators, is likely to support Nitish Kumar if he dumps the BJP.

The JD-U has 118 legislators, four short of majority in the house of 243 members.

With Agency Inputs