The Janata Dal (United)’s decision to back the NDA’s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind a day before Opposition parties meet to finalise their candidate has not gone down well with the Congress and the Left, though they say this will not adversely impact overall “Opposition unity”.
Congress leader P.L. Punia told The Hindu that Mr. Kumar had himself said after the declaration of Mr. Kovind’s candidature that his party’s decision would be spelled out after the Opposition meeting, but he had inexplicably rushed it through.
“Nitishji is on record saying he would decide after the joint Opposition meeting to be held on June 22. He has to clarify why he announced his support to the NDA’s candidate just one day before this meeting. He has contradicted himself,” Mr. Punia said.
Nitish backs Kovind, RJD unhappy
Communist Party of India leader D. Raja also expressed surprise over the JD (U)’s announcement.
“Nitish Kumar has taken a decision independently and unilaterally. The JD (U) did not discuss with us. Just a day before Opposition meeting, they declared their support for the NDA’s candidate. Why? I don’t know the impact this will have on the government in Bihar, as RJD is their ally. Let us see,” he told The Hindu.
However, the Opposition leaders brushed aside the suggestion that this could impact Opposition unity.
“All parties have their assessment. The Presidential poll is very critical because of its implication for the future of the country. This is for the defence of the constitution. What is Nitish Kumar’s assessment we don’t know,” Mr. Raja said. “I don’t think this will impact Opposition unity as there will be contexts where Opposition parties will have to take a stand.”
Mr. Punia said the decision might have to do with Mr. Kumar’s personal rapport with Mr. Kovind, and will not have a bearing on larger Opposition unity.
“It does not affect Opposition unity. Probably the fact that the NDA candidate is Bihar governor and Mr. Kumar the state’s CM and the two have a good relation has made him support the candidate. But still he has contradicted his own statement,” he told The Hindu.