‘Will not impact Bihar alliance’: Sushil Modi on JD(U) MLAs joining BJP in Arunachal Pradesh

Patna: BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Monday downplayed the impact of six JD(U) MLAs joining the saffron party in Arunachal Pradesh and said that the JD(U)-BJP alliance in Bihar is “unbreakable”.

“We have a strong alliance in Bihar and it’s unbreakable. Arunachal Pradesh episode would have no impact here,” Sushil Modi told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised on the death anniversary of former Union minister Arun Jaitley. Sushil Modi further added that after the Bihar poll results Nitish Kumar did not want to be the chief minister. “He didn’t want to be the CM. We wanted him to become CM. We had already projected him as CM candidate and he became NDA CM. He agreed to our request to take up the job,” said.

Sushil Modi’s statement is being seen as a damage control measure from the BJP after JD (U) accused the party of not adhering to coalition dharma in Arunachal Pradesh. JD (U) national spokesperson KC Tyagi had said Arunachal Pradesh had surely caused heartburns in JD (U). But he had also added that the Arunachal Pradesh case would not impact JD (U)’s alliance with BJP in Bihar. In a big setback for Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) in Arunachal Pradesh, six of its seven MLAs joined the ruling BJP last week. Following the switchover, the BJP now has 48 MLAs in the 60-member House, while the JD(U) is left with only one. Congress and the National People’s Party (NPP) have four members each. When asked about the switch, Kumar said the MLAs “have gone their way.”

Meanwhile, the Opposition in Bihar, the Congress-RJD, said the Arunachal development hinted at the shape of things to come in Bihar. “The BJP, by violating the coalition dharma, has sought to send out a clear message that it cares two hoots about Nitish Kumar, who, on the other hand, is wary of even reacting,” RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwary said in his statement.

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